Matthew 3

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

3He is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, who said, “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”

4John wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5Then people from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him,

6and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8So produce fruit that matches your repentance.

9And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

10The ax is already lying at the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that never goes out.”

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14But John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

15Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him.

16After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.

17And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son; I am well pleased with him.”