1In those days John the Immerser came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven has drawn near! 3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. 4And John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather waistband around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6and were immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Therefore bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, 9and do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10And now already the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore any tree which does not bear good fruit is cut off and thrown into the fire. 11I indeed immerse you in water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire; 12whose winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the granary; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 13Then Jesus comes from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be immersed by him. 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, I need to be immersed by You, and do You come to me? 15But Jesus answered and said to him, Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him. 16And when He had been immersed, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him. 17And behold a voice out of heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.