The Mission of John the Baptist
(Matthew 3:1–12; Mark 1:1–8; John 1:19–28)

1And in the fifteenth year in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother, tetrarch of Ituria and the Trachonitis country, and Lusanius tetrarch of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas 2and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3And he came into all the region round about the Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remissions of sins,

4as has been written in the book of Isaiah the prophet, saying; The voice of one roaring in the wilderness; Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.

5Every valley shall be filled up and every mountain and hill shall be cut down; and the crooked places shall be straight and the rough ways smooth.

6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7Then he said unto the multitudes coming out to be baptized by him; O generations of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves; We have Abraham our father. 9But truly the ax is laid to the root of the trees; Therefore every tree not producing good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10And the multitudes asked him, saying; What then shall we do? 11And responding he says to them, Let the one having two coats, give to him having none, and let the one having food do likewise. 12And the publicans came also to be baptized, and said to him; Teacher, what shall we do! 13And he said to them, Exact no more than that which has been appointed unto you. 14And the soldiers were asking him saying; And what shall we do? And he said to them; Oppress no one, neither defraud; and be content with your wages.

15And the people waiting and all reasoning in their hearts concerning John, lest he might be the Christ. 16John responded to all, saying; I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh One more powerful than I, the latchet of His sandals I am not worthy to loose; He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire. 17Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purify His threshing-floor, and gather the wheat into His garner, and will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

18Then indeed exhorting them as to many other things he continued to preach the gospel to the people. 19And Herod the tetrarch, being convicted by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and concerning the wickedness which Herod did, 20added also this to all, and shut up John in prison.

The Baptism of Jesus
(Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; John 1:29–34)

21And it came to pass while all the people were being baptized, and Jesus having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit in bodily appearance like a dove descended on Him; and there was a voice from heaven, saying; Thou art my beloved Son, I am delighted in Thee.

The Genealogy of Jesus
(Matthew 1:1–17)

23And Jesus was beginning to be about thirty years old, being as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24Matthat, Levi, Melchi, Janna, Joseph: 25Mattathios, Amos, Naum, Esli, Naggai, 26Mattathios, Semei, Josech, Joda, 27Joanna, Resa, Zorababbel, Salithiel, Neri, 28Melchi, Addi, Cosam, Elmodam, Er, 29Joses, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, Levi, 30Simeon, Judah, Joseph, Jonan, Eliakim, 31Melea, Mainan, Mattatha, Nathan, David, 32Jesse, Obed, Booz, Salmon, Naasson, 33Aminadab, Aram, Esrom, Phares, Judah, 34Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Thara, Nachor, Serouch, Ragau, 35Phalek, Heber, Sala, 36Cainan, Arphaxad, Shem, Noah, Lamech, 37of Methusalah, Enoch, Jared, of Mahalaleel, Cainan, 38of Enos, Seth, Adam, the Son of God.