1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2and saying, "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: `Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'"
4And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5Then there went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region round about the Jordan.
6And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,
9and think not to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.' For I say unto you that God is able from these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
12His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
13Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John to be baptized by him.
14But John forbad Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by Thee, and comest Thou to me?"
15And Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John suffered Him.
16And Jesus, when He had been baptized, went up straightway out of the water. And lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him.
17And lo, a voice came from Heaven, saying, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED."