Matthew 3

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,	1 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.	2 (and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.	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.'"
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.	4 John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,	5 At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.	6 and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?	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?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:	8 Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.	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.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.	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.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with 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.
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff 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 with unquenchable fire."
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.	13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?	14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.	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.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon 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.
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.	17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."