| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, | 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea |
| 2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." | 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." |
| 3For he is the one about whom Isaiah the prophet had spoken: "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for 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 clothing made from camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of 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 people from Jerusalem, as well as all Judea and all the region around 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 he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. | 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. |
| 7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? | 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? |
| 8Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, | 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. |
| 9and don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! | 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 ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be 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 the one coming after me is more powerful than I am--I am not worthy to carry his sandals. 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 clean out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable 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 John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. | 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. |
| 14But John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?" | 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" |
| 15So Jesus replied to him, "Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John yielded to him. | 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. |
| 16After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming 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 a voice from heaven said, "This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight." | 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." |
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