Matthew

3 And in those days John the Baptist came, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea 2 “Repent, for the Reign of Heaven is almost here.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah in the words “The voice of one calling out in the wilderness ‘Get ready the Lord’s road, make his thoroughfares straight.’” 4 And he, John, had his garment of camel-hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was grasshoppers and wild honey.

5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region of the Jordan went out to him 6 and had themselves baptized in the river Jordan by him, confessing their sins. 7 But at seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the baptism he said to them “Spawn of vipers, who has given you notice to flee from the future wrath? 8 Produce fruit appropriate to repentance, then, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you God can raise up children to Abraham out of these stones. 10 And the ax is already lying at the root of the trees, so every tree that does not produce good fruit is to be cut out and thrown into a fire. 11 I am baptizing you in water to repentance, but he who is coming behind me is stronger than I, whose shoes I am not fit to carry: he will baptize you in Holy Spirit and fire— 12 he whose winnowing-fork is in his hand, and who will clean up his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but burn up the chaff with inextinguishable fire.”

13 Then came Jesus from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 But John checked him, saying “I need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him “Let me now, for it befits us to fulfill all righteousness thus.” Then he let him. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, at once he came up from the water, and lo, the sky opened and he saw God’s Spirit come down like a dove and come upon him; 17 and lo, a voice out of the sky saying “This is my dear son in whom I take pleasure.”