Matthew 3

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea	1 Now in those days, John the Baptist arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea,
2 (and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"	2 and saying: “Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”
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 For this is the one who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “A voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths.”
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 Now the same John had a garment made from the hair of camels, and a leather belt around his waist. And his food 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 all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan went out to him.
6 and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.	6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, acknowledging 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 Then, seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees arriving for his baptism, he said to them: “Progeny of vipers, who warned to you to flee from the approaching wrath?
8 Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.	8 Therefore, produce fruit worthy of 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 choose to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God has the power to raise up sons to 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 For even now the axe has been placed at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into 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 Indeed, I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who will come after me is more powerful than me. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
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. And he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. And he will gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.	13 Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him.
14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"	14 But John refused him, saying, “I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
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 And responding, Jesus said to him: “Permit this for now. For in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice.” Then he allowed 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 Jesus, having been baptized, ascended from the water immediately, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him.
17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."	17 And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”