| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea | 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea |
| 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” | 2and saying, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!" |
| 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ ” | 3For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight! |
| 4John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. | 4John himself had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. |
| 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. | 5Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were flocking to him, |
| 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. | 6and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. |
| 7But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? | 7When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the place of his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? |
| 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. | 8Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. |
| 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. | 9And don't presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! |
| 10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. | 10Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." |
| 11I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. | 11I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
| 12His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” | 12His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out." |
| 13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. | 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. |
| 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” | 14But John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?" |
| 15“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. | 15Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him to be baptized. |
| 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. | 16After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. |
| 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” | 17And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him! |
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