3:1  Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

3:2  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has become available."

3:3  For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'"

3:4  Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food consisted of locusts and wild honey.

3:5  Then Jerusalem went out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;

3:6  and they received baptism by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

3:8  "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;

3:9  and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God has the ability to raise up children to Abraham.

3:10  God has already laid the axe at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit He cuts down and throws into the fire.

3:11  "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who comes after me has more might than I, and I do not consider myself fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

3:12  "His winnowing fork He holds in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

3:13  Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to receive baptism by him.

3:14  But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need that You baptize me, and do You come to me?"

3:15  But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it has become fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him.

3:16  After receiving baptism, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,

3:17  and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This I proclaim My beloved Son, in whom I feel well-pleased."