[1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of
Judea, [2] "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." [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." [4] Now John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a leather
girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then
went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the
Jordan, [6] and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing
their sins. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad'ducees coming
for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee
from the wrath to come? [8] Bear fruit that befits repentance, [9] and do
not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father'; for I
tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
[10] Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree
therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire. [11] "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming
after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [12] His winnowing
fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his
wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
[13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by
him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by
you, and do you come to me?" [15] But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so
now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he
consented. [16] And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from
the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and alighting on him; [17] and lo, a voice from
heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
