| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1About this time, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Judean wilderness, | 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea |
| 2"Repent, because the kingdom from heaven is near!" | 2and saying, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!" |
| 3He was the one the prophet Isaiah was referring to when he said, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'" | 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 had clothing made of camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of grasshoppers 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. |
| 5Then the people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire region along the Jordan began flocking to him, | 5Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were flocking to him, |
| 6being baptized by him in the Jordan River while they confessed their sins. | 6and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. |
| 7But when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he told them, "You children of serpents! 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 that is consistent with repentance! | 8Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. |
| 9Don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have father Abraham!' because I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones! | 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 ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree that isn't producing 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 am baptizing you with water as evidence of repentance, but the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and 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. He will clean up his threshing floor and gather his grain into the barn, but he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable 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." |
| 13Then 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 stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" | 14But John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?" |
| 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be this way for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness." At this, he permitted him to be baptized. | 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. |
| 16When Jesus had been baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Suddenly, the heavens opened up for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest 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. |
| 17Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him!" | 17And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him! |
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