Matthew 3:1-12 ▼

1 IN those days came John the Baptist; and he was preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 Saying, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is near.

3 For it was he of whom it was said by the prophet Isaiah, The voice which cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, and straighten his highways.

4 Now the same John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had leathern belts around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then there went out to him, Jerusalem and all of Judaea, and the whole country around Jordan.

6 And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, as they confessed their sins.

7 But when he saw a great many of the Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to be baptized, he said to them, O offspring of scorpions, who has warned you to escape from the anger which is to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits which are worthy of repentance;

9 And do not think and say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father; for I say to you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

10 Behold, the axe is already placed at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which bears not good fruits shall be cut down and dropped in the fire.

11 I am just baptizing you with water for repentance; but he who is coming after me is greater than I, the one even whose shoes I am not worthy to remove; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

12 Whose shovel is in his hand, and he purifies his threshings; the wheat he gathers into his barns, and the straw he burns up in the unquenchable fire.