Matthew 3:1-12 ▼

1 Now in those days John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”

3 For this is the one having been spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “A voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight His paths.’”

4 And John himself had his clothing of camel’s hair and a belt of leather around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 At that time they were going out to him—Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan.

6 And they were being baptized in the Jordan River by him, confessing their sins.

7 But having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers, who warned you? to flee from the coming wrath?

8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.

9 And do not think to say in yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you? that out of these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

10 And already the ax is laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and is thrown into fire.

11 I indeed baptize you? in water unto repentance, but the One coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not sufficient to carry the sandals. He will baptize you? in the Holy Spirit and fire,

12 whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor and will gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”