Matthew:3

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* In those days came John the Baptist , preaching in the wilderness of Judea , * "Repent , for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ." * For 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 ." * Now John wore a garment of camel 's hair , and a leather girdle around his waist ; and his food was locusts and wild honey . * Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan , * and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan , confessing their sins . * But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad 'ducees coming for baptism , he said to them , "You brood of vipers ! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? * Bear fruit that befits repentance , * and 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 to Abraham . * Even 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 . * "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 with fire . * His winnowing fork is in his hand , and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary , but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire ." * Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John , to be baptized by him . * John would have prevented him , saying , "I need to be baptized by you , and do you come to me ?" * But Jesus answered him , "Let it be so now ; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness ." Then he consented . * And when Jesus was baptized , he went up immediately from the water , and behold , the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove , and alighting on him ; * and lo , a voice from heaven , saying , "This is my beloved Son , with whom I am well pleased ."

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