﻿Matthew.
Chapter 3.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea 
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 
He is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” 
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 
Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him. 
They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 
Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 
The ax is already laid at the root of the trees. So every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 
I baptize you in water for repentance, but the one coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. 
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 
But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” 
Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, for it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John allowed him. 
After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. The heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. 
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 
