Matthew 3
New International Version - Matthew 3 << | >> 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 3:2 and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.' 3:3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'' 3:4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 3:5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 3:9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 3:10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 3:11 'I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' 3:15 Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented. 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'