Matthew 3

NEW JERUSALEM	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 In due course John the Baptist appeared; he proclaimed this message in the desert of Judaea,	1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.'	2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
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 he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
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 John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle 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 went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan,
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 river Jordan, confessing 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 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance,	8 Bear fruit that befits 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 presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown 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 "I baptize you with water for 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 with 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.'	12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, 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 the Jordan to John, 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 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do 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 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
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 when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened 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 lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."