Matthew 3
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1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea1In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,
2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."2“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is 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.'"3The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.4John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.5People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.
6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.6And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?
8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.8Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.9Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.
10The ax is already 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 of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.11“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."12He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.13Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"14But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.15But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. ” So John agreed to baptize him.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.
17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
New International Version (NIV)

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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Matthew 2
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