3IN THOSE days there appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the Wilderness (Desert) of JudeaG1161G1722G1565G2250G3854G2491G910G2784G1722G2048G24492And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.G2532G3004G3340G1063G932G3772G14483This is he who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness (shouting in the desert), Prepare the road for the Lord, make His highways straight (level, direct).G1063G3778G2076G4483G5259G4396G2268G3004G5456G994G1722G2048G2090G3598G2962G4160G846G5147G21174This {same} John's garments were made of camel's hair, and he wore a leather girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.G1161G846G2491G2192G846G1742G575G2574G2359G2532G1193G2223G4012G846G3751G1161G846G5160G2258G200G2532G66G31925Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country round about the Jordan went out to him;G5119G1607G4314G846G2414G2532G3956G2449G2532G3956G4066G24466And they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.G2532G907G5259G846G1722G2446G1843G846G2667But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee {and} escape from the wrath {and} indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming?G1161G1492G4183G5330G2532G4523G2064G1909G846G908G2036G846G1081G2191G5101G5263G5213G5343G575G3709G31958Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];G4160G3767G2590G514G33419And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our forefather; for I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!G2532G1380G3361G3004G1722G1438G2192G11G3962G1063G3004G5213G3754G2316G1410G1537G5130G3037G1453G5043G1110And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.G1161G2235G2532G513G2749G4314G4491G1186G3767G3956G1186G4160G3361G4160G2570G2590G1581G2532G906G1519G444211I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy {or} fit to take off {or} carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.G1473G3303G907G5209G1722G5204G1519G3341G1161G2064G3694G3450G2076G2478G3450G3739G5266G1510G3756G2425G941G846G907G5209G1722G40G4151G2532G444212His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out {and} clean His threshing floor and gather {and} store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.G3739G4425G1722G846G5495G2532G1245G846G257G2532G4863G846G4621G1519G596G1161G2618G892G762G4442
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.G5119G3854G2424G575G1056G1909G2446G4314G2491G907G5259G84614But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?G1161G2491G1254G3004G1473G2192G5532G907G5259G4675G2532G2064G4771G4314G316515But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfill all righteousness [that is, to perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.G1161G2424G611G2036G4314G846G863G737G1063G3779G4241G2076G2254G4137G3956G1343G5119G863G84616And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.G2532G2424G907G305G2117G575G5204G2532G2400G3772G455G846G2532G1492G4151G2316G2597G5616G4058G2532G2064G1909G84617And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!G2532G2400G5456G1537G3772G3004G3778G2076G3450G27G5207G1722G3739G2106
