Matthew 3

John the Baptist preaches repentance in the wilderness of Judaea, baptizing crowds in the Jordan. Jesus comes from Galilee to be baptized, and the heavens open as the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father declares, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,	In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.
2	And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.	He said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3	For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.	This is the one spoken of by the prophet Esaias: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'"
4	And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.	John's clothes were made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5	Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,	Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and all the region around Jordan went out to him.
6	And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.	They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
7	But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?	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 wrath to come?
8	Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:	Bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance.
9	And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.	Do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you, God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.
10	And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.	Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11	I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:	I baptize You with water for repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize You with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
12	Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.	His winnowing fork is in His hand. He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire."
13	Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.	Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
14	But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?	John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You — and do You come to me?"
15	And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.	Jesus answered Him, "Allow it now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John allowed it.
16	And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:	When Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately out of the water. The heavens were opened to Him. He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him.
17	And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.	A voice from heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."