RKJNT - Matthew - 3

3:1  In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

3:2  And saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3:3  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

3:4  And John had a garment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

3:5  Then Jerusalem, and all Judaea, went out to him, and all the region around the Jordan,

3:6  And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

3:8  Therefore, bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance:

3:9  And do not think to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father: for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

3:10  And now the axe is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

3:11  I baptize you with water for repentance: but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire.

3:12  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

3:13  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

3:14  But John tried to prevent him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?

3:15  And Jesus answered him, Let it be so now: for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented.

3:16  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up immediately out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

3:17  And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.