3:1 | In these days John the Baptist is present, proclaiming in the desert of Judea; |
3:2 | And saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near. |
3:3 | For this is he spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, A voice of him crying in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. |
3:4 | And this John had his garment from camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. |
3:5 | Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all round about Jordan; |
3:6 | And they were immersed in Jordan by him, acknowledging their sins. |
3:7 | And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has indicated to you to flee from the wrath about to come? |
3:8 | Do ye therefore fruit worthy of repentance. |
3:9 | And think not to say in yourselves we have Abraham a father; for I say to you that God can of these stones raise up children to Abraham. |
3:10 | And now also the axe lies at the root of the trees; therefore every one not making good fruit is cut off and cast into fire. |
3:11 | I truly immerse you in water to repentance; but he coming after me is stronger than I, whose shoes I am not fit to lift up; he shall immerse in the Holy Spirit, and fire |
3:12 | Whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into the store; but he will burn down the chaff in inextinguishable fire. |
3:13 | Then Jesus approaches from Galilee to Jordan, to John, to be immersed by him. |
3:14 | And John hindered him, saying, I have need to be immersed by thee, and dost thou come to me? |
3:15 | And Jesus having answered said to him, Permit now; for so it is suitable for us to complete all justice: then he permitted him. |
3:16 | And Jesus, having been immersed, went up straight from the water, and, behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. |
3:17 | And behold a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my dearly beloved Son, in whom I was contented. |