1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.
2He said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
3This is the man the prophet Esaias spoke about, when he said, "The voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5Then Jerusalem went out to him, and all Judaea, and all the country around the Jordan.
6They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.
7But he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism. He said to them, "You family of snakes, who warned you to run from the anger that is coming?"
8"So bring out fruit that fits with repentance."
9"And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able to raise up children for Abraham out of these stones."
10"Even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees. So every tree that does not bring out good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
11"I baptize you with water, to bring you to repentance. But one is coming after me who is stronger than I am. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
12"His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor completely. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that cannot be put out."
14But John tried to stop him. He said, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus answered him, "Allow it to be so now. This is the right way for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then John allowed him.
16When Jesus was baptized, he came up at once out of the water. Look, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and settling on him.
17And look, a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, and I am very pleased with him."