^1. In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea

^2. and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

^3. This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" [1]

^4. John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

^5. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.

^6. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

^7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

^8. Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

^9. And 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.

^10. The ax is already at 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 baptize you with [2] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

^12. His 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."

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

^14. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

^15. Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

^16. As soon as Jesus was baptized, 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 lighting on him.

^17. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."