Matthew 3

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea	1 In due course John the Baptist appeared; he proclaimed this message in the desert of Judaea,
2 (and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"	2 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.'
3 It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"	3 This was the man spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said: A voice of one that cries in the desert,'Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.'
4 John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.	4 This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather loin-cloth round his waist, and hisfood was locusts and wild honey.
5 At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him	5 Then Jerusalem and al Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him,
6 and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.	6 and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.
7 When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?	7 But when he saw a number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them, 'Brood ofvipers, who warned you to flee from the coming retribution?
8 Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.	8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance,
9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.	9 and do not presume to tell yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father," because, I tel you, God canraise children for Abraham from these stones.
10 Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.	10 Even now the axe is being laid to the root of the trees, so that any tree failing to produce good fruit wilbe cut down and thrown on the fire.
11 I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.	11 I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I, and Iam not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."	12 His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into his barn;but the chaff he will burn in a fire that wil never go out.'
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.	13 Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.
14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"	14 John tried to dissuade him, with the words, 'It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come tome!'
15 Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.	15 But Jesus replied, 'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do al thatuprightness demands.' Then John gave in to him.
16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.	16 And when Jesus had been baptised he at once came up from the water, and suddenly the heavensopened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."	17 And suddenly there was a voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'