| New King James Version | Berean Study 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 at hand!” | 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” |
| 3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’ ” | 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.’ ” |
| 4Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. | 4John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. |
| 5Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him | 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. |
| 6and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. | 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. |
| 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? | 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? |
| 8Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, | 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. |
| 9and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. | 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. |
| 10And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. | 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. |
| 11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and 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. |
| 12His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable 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.” |
| 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. | 13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. |
| 14And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” | 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” |
| 15But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. | 15“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. |
| 16When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. | 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. |
| 17And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” | 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” |
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