Matthew:3

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* In those days , John the Baptizer came , preaching in the wilderness of Judea , saying , * "Repent , for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand !" * For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet , saying , "The voice of one crying in the wilderness , make ready the way of the Lord . Make his paths straight ." {Isaiah strkjv @40:3 } * Now John himself wore clothing made of camel 's hair , with a leather belt around his waist . His food was locusts and wild honey . * Then people from Jerusalem , all of Judea , and all the region around the Jordan went out to him . * They were baptized {or , immersed } by him in the Jordan , confessing their sins . * But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism , {or , immersion } he said to them , "You offspring of vipers , who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? * Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance ! * Don 't think to yourselves , 'We have Abraham for our father ,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones . * "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees . Therefore every tree that doesn 't bring forth good fruit is cut down , and cast into the fire . * I indeed baptize {or , immerse } you in water for repentance , but he who comes after me is mightier than I , whose shoes I am not worthy to carry . He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit . {TR and NU add "and with fire "} * His winnowing fork is in his hand , and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor . He will gather his wheat into the barn , but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire ." * Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John , to be baptized by him . * But John would have hindered him , saying , "I need to be baptized by you , and you come to me ?" * But Jesus , answering , said to him , "Allow it now , for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness ." Then he allowed him . * Jesus , when he was baptized , went up directly from the water : and behold , the heavens were opened to him . He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove , and coming on him . * Behold , a voice out of the heavens said , "This is my beloved Son , with whom I am well pleased ."

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