| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, | 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea |
| 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” | 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." |
| 3For 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.’” | 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" |
| 4Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. | 4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. |
| 5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, | 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. |
| 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. | 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. |
| 7But 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 wrath to come? | 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? |
| 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. | 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. |
| 9And 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 for Abraham. | 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. |
| 10Even 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. | 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the 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 fire. | 11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
| 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” | 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." |
| 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. | 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. |
| 14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” | 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" |
| 15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. | 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. |
| 16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; | 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. |
| 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” | 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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