New International Version | International Standard Version |
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea | 1About this time, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Judean wilderness, |
2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." | 2"Repent, because the kingdom from heaven is near!" |
3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" | 3He was the one the prophet Isaiah was referring to when he said, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'" |
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. | 4John had clothing made of camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of grasshoppers and wild honey. |
5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. | 5Then the people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire region along the Jordan began flocking to him, |
6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. | 6being baptized by him in the Jordan River while they confessed their sins. |
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? | 7But when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he told them, "You children of serpents! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? |
8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. | 8Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance! |
9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. | 9Don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have father Abraham!' because I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones! |
10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. | 10The ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree that isn't producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. |
11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. | 11I am baptizing you with water as evidence of repentance, but the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." | 12His winnowing fork is in his hand. He will clean up his threshing floor and gather his grain into the barn, but he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire." |
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. | 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. |
14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" | 14But John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" |
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. | 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be this way for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness." At this, he permitted him to be baptized. |
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. | 16When Jesus had been baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Suddenly, the heavens opened up for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. |
17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." | 17Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him!" |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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