Matthew 3
3
The Preaching of John the Baptist
1Now in those days John the Baptist *#3:1 Or arrived; or appearedcame, #3:1 Or proclaiming as a heraldpreaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3For this is the one referred to #3:3 Or throughby Isaiah the prophet when he said,
“The voice of one #3:3 Or shoutingcalling #3:3 Or out, Prepare in the wilderness the wayout in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’ ”
4Now John himself had #3:4 Lit his garmenta garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5At that time Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan; 6and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for #3:7 Later mss his baptismbaptism, he said to them, “You #3:7 Or broodoffspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance; 9and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham. 10And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.
11“As for me, I baptize you #3:11 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or bywith 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 #3:11 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or bywith the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His 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.”
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” 15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *allowed Him. 16After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and #3:16 Or Hehe saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and #3:16 Lit coming upon Himsettling on Him, 17and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is #3:17 Or My Son, the BelovedMy beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
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Matthew 3: NASB2020
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Matthew 3
3
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.#3:2 Or has come, or is coming soon.” 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!’”#3:3 Isa 40:3 (Greek version).
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. 5People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,#3:7 Or coming to be baptized. he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 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. 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.
11“I baptize with#3:11a Or in. 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.#3:11b Or in the Holy Spirit and in 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
13Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 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?”
15But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.#3:15 Or for we must fulfill all righteousness.” So John agreed to baptize him.
16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened#3:16 Some manuscripts read opened to him. and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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