The Preaching of John the Baptist
1 In those daysJohn the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea [along the western side of the Dead Sea] and saying,
2 “Repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3 This is the one who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the road for theLord,
MakeHis highways straight(level, direct)!’”
4 Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leatherband around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 At that time Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;
6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
7 But when he saw many of thePharisees andSadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the [divine] wrathandjudgment to come?
8 So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin];
9 and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham.
10 And already the axe [of God’s judgment] isswinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “As for me, I baptize youwith water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self–your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave]; He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] withfire (judgment).
12 Hiswinnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan [River], to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to prevent Him [vigorously protesting], saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 But Jesus replied to him,“Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for usto fulfill all righteousness.”Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him.
16 After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw theSpirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus),
17 and behold, avoice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleasedanddelighted!”