[1] And in those days John the Immerser comes, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, [2] and saying, “Convert, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near,” [3] for this is he having been spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD, || Make His paths straight.” [4] And this John had his clothing of camel’s hair, and a girdle of skin around his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and honey of the field. [5] Then were going forth to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan, [6] and they were immersed in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins. [7] And having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming about his immersion, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who showed you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Bear, therefore, fruits worthy of conversion, [9] and do not think to say in yourselves, We have a father—Abraham, for I say to you that God is able to raise children to Abraham out of these stones, [10] and now also, the axe is laid to the root of the trees, therefore, every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down, and is cast into fire. [11] I indeed immerse you in water for conversion, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry the sandals, He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire, [12] whose fan [is] in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His floor, and will gather His wheat into the storehouse, but He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.” [13] Then Jesus comes from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be immersed by him, [14] but John was forbidding Him, saying, “I have need to be immersed by You—and You come to me?” [15] But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit [it] now, for thus it is fitting to us to fulfill all righteousness,” then he permits Him. [16] And having been immersed, Jesus immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on Him, [17] and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I delighted.”
