| New Living Translation | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, | 1Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, |
| 2“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. ” | 2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." |
| 3The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” | 3For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'" |
| 4John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. | 4Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. |
| 5People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. | 5Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; |
| 6And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. | 6and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. |
| 7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? | 7But 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? |
| 8Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. | 8"Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; |
| 9Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. | 9and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. |
| 10Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. | 10"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. |
| 11“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. | 11"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
| 12He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” The Baptism of Jesus | 12"His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." |
| 13Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. | 13Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. |
| 14But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” | 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" |
| 15But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. ” So John agreed to baptize him. | 15But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. |
| 16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. | 16After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, |
| 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” | 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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