Chapter 3
1 John the Baptist came in those days preaching in the wilderness of the territory of Judah.
2 This was his message, Return all of you: for the kingdom of heaven is very close.
3 This John is the one spoken about by the prophet Isaiah, when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, all of you, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 This is the John who had clothes of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his waste; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then the people of Jerusalem went out to him , and all of the territory of Judah, and all the region round about Jordan river valley,
6 All these were baptized by him in Jordan, while confessing their sins.
7 ¶And there were many who came, some of the party of the Pharisees and some of the party of the Sadducees, who came to his baptism, to whom he said when he saw them, O offspring of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the judgement to come?
8 Bring forth fruit in your life that is appropriate for returning to God:
9 And do not think to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I tell you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water to return you to God: but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
12 His fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 ¶Then come Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John would not permit him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and do you come to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Permit this to be so now: for doing this enables us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he allowed him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water, then the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And there was a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
