[1] And in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the waste land of
Judaea, [2] Saying, Let your hearts be turned from sin; for the kingdom of
heaven is near. [3] For this is he of whom Isaiah the prophet said, The
voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make
his roads straight. [4] Now John was clothed in camel's hair, with a
leather band about him; and his food was locusts and honey. [5] Then
Jerusalem and all Judaea went out to him, and all the people from near
Jordan; [6] And they were given baptism by him in the river Jordan, saying
openly that they had done wrong. [7] But when he saw a number of the
Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring
of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?
[8] Let your change of heart be seen in your works: [9] And say not to
yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; because I say to you that God
is able from these stones to make children for Abraham. [10] And even now
the axe is put to the root of the trees; every tree then which does not
give good fruit is cut down, and put into the fire. [11] Truly, I give
baptism with water to those of you whose hearts are changed; but he who
comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to take
up: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire: [12] In
whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he
will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned up in
the fire which will never be put out. [13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to
John at the Jordan, to be given baptism by him. [14] But John would have
kept him back, saying, It is I who have need of baptism from you, and do
you come to me? [15] But Jesus made answer, saying to him, Let it be so
now: because so it is right for us to make righteousness complete. Then he
gave him baptism. [16] And Jesus, having been given baptism, straight away
went up from the water; and, the heavens opening, he saw the Spirit of God
coming down on him as a dove; [17] And a voice came out of heaven, saying,
This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
