John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 And saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
4 And this same John had clothing of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem, Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him,
6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees had come to his baptism, he said to them, "O generation of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth fruits proper for repentance.
9 And do not presume to say within yourselves 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I say to you, that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10 And already the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.1
11 I indeed baptize you with water to repentance; but he who comes 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 Whose winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."2
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan River in order to be baptized by him.
14 But John resisted him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"
15 And Jesus answered him, "Allow it to be done now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, came up immediately out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus.
17 And lo, a voice came from heaven, which said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
