- In - those days John - the Baptist came , preaching in the wilderness - of Jude -a
and saying , “ Repent , for the kingdom of heaven is near. ”
- This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah - - : “ (A) voice of one calling in the wilderness , ‘ Prepare the way for (the) Lord , make straight paths - for Him.’”
- John - - - wore - - a garment of camel’s hair , with (a) leather belt around - his waist. - - His food was locusts and wild honey.
- (People) went out to him (from) Jerusalem and all - Jude -a and the whole region around the Jordan.
- Confessing - their sins , they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
But when (John -) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his (place of) - baptism , he said to them , “ (You) brood of vipers , who warned you to flee from the coming wrath ?
Produce fruit , then , in keeping with - repentance.
And {do} not presume to say to yourselves , ‘ We have - Abraham (as our) father. ’ For I tell you that out of - these stones - God can raise up children for Abraham.
The axe vvv vvv lies ready at the root of the trees , and every tree vvv that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into (the) fire.
I - baptize you with water for repentance , - but after me will come (One) more powerful than I , whose - sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with (the) Holy Spirit and with fire.
His - winnowing fork (is) in - His hand - to clear - His threshing floor and to gather - His wheat into the barn ; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. ”
At that time - Jesus came from - Galilee to the Jordan - - - - to be baptized by (John -).
- But John - tried to prevent Him , saying , “ I vvv need to be baptized by You , and {do} You come to me ? ”
“ Let (it) be so now , ” - - Jesus replied ... ... .... - “ It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way. ” Then (John -) permitted Him.
As soon as ... (Jesus) was baptized , - He went up out of the water. - Suddenly the heavens were opened , and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
And - a voice from - heaven said , “ This is - My - beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased ! ”