John Prepares the Way
NOW in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 And saying: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven draws near!”
3 For 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.”
4 And the same John, had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt about his loins; and his meal was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him: Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan;
6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
John the Baptist Preaches
7 ¶ But when he saw, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them: “Offspring of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Bring forth therefore: fruits worthy of repentance;
9 And think not, to say within yourselves: ‘We have Abraham as our father’: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones, to raise up children to Abraham.
10 And now also, the axe is laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water, into repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
12 Whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff, with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus
13 ¶ Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John forbad Him, saying: “I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 And Jesus answering said to him: “Let it be so now: for thus it befits us, to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightaway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and arriving upon Him:
17 And lo, a voice from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”