Matthew 3

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 In due course John the Baptist appeared; he proclaimed this message in the desert of Judaea,	1 Now in those days, John the Baptist arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea,
2 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.'	2 and saying: “Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”
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.'	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 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.	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 Then Jerusalem and al Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him,	5 Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan went out to him.
6 and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.	6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, acknowledging their sins.
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?	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 fruit in keeping with repentance,	8 Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance.
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.	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 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.	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 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.	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 in a fire that wil never go out.'	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 appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.	13 Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him.
14 John tried to dissuade him, with the words, 'It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come tome!'	14 But John refused him, saying, “I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
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.	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 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.	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 suddenly there was a voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'	17 And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”