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John the Baptist prepares the way
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 3This 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.” ’3:3 Isaiah 40:3
4John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt round his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The axe has been laid to the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11‘I baptise you with3:11 Or in water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with3:11 Or in the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’
The baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’
15Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’
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