Matthew 3

1During those days John the Baptist arrived, proclaiming in the Judean wilderness.

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

3For he is the one spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; straighten his paths."

4Now John himself wore camel-hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

6And they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?"

8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.

9And do not suppose you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you God can raise children for Abraham from these stones.

10The axe already lies against the root of the trees; therefore every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but the one coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

12Whose winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

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

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

15But Jesus answered him, “Permit it right now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted him.

16When Jesus was baptized, he came up right away from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened, and he saw God's Spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him.

17And look, a voice from the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight."