1Ngalezo zinsuku kwafika uJohane uMbhapathizi, eshumayela ehlane laseJudiya,
2wathi: Phendukani, ngoba umbuso wezulu ususondele.
3Ngokuba nguyena okwakhulunywa ngaye u-Isaya umprofethi, ethi: “Izwi lomemeza ehlane, lithi: ‘Lungisani indlela yeNkosi, nenze imikhondo yayo iqonde.’
4Yena uJohane wayenengubo yoboya bekamela, enoqhotho lwesikhumba okhalweni lwakhe; ukudla kwakhe kwakuyizintethe nezinyosi zasendle.
5Kwaphumela kuye iJerusalema, neJudiya lonke, nesifunda sonke saseJordani.
6babhapathizwa nguye eJordani, bevuma izono zabo.
7Kodwa kwathi ebona abanengi babaFarisi labaSadusi besiza ekubhabhathizeni kwakhe, wathi kubo: Nzalo yezinyoka, ngubani olixwayisile ukubalekela ulaka oluzayo?
8Ngakho vezani izithelo ezifanele ukuphenduka;
9Ningacabangi ukusho phakathi kwenu ukuthi: ‘Sinobaba u-Abrahama;’ ngokuba ngithi kini: UNkulunkulu angamvusela u-Abrahama abantwana kulawa matshe.
10Kalokhu izembe selibekiwe empandeni yemithi, ngakho yonke imithi engatheli izithelo ezinhle iyagawulwa, iphonswe emlilweni.
11Mina nginibhapathiza ngamanzi kukho ukuphenduka; kepha ozayo emva kwami unamandla kunami, engingafanele ukuthwala izicathulo zakhe;
12olwelo lwakhe lusesandleni sakhe, aze ahlanze isibuya sakhe, abuthele ukolweni wakhe enqolobaneni; kepha amakhoba uyakuwashisa ngomlilo ongacimekiyo.
13Khona uJesu wafika eJordani evela eGalile kuJohane ukuba abhapathizwe nguye.
14Kodwa uJohane wamalela, esithi: Mina ngiswela ukubhabhathizwa nguwe, kanti wena uza kimi yini?
15UJesu waphendula wathi kuye: Vuma kalokhu, ngokuba kusifanele ukugcwalisa kanjalo ukulunga konke. Wase emvumela.
16UJesu esebhapathiziwe wahle wakhuphuka emanzini;
17Bheka, kwavela izwi ezulwini, lithi: “Lo uyiNdodana yami ethandekayo engithokozile ngayo.