3Matthew 3

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea.Select Matthew 3:1

2He said, “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.”Select Matthew 3:2

3John was the one the prophet Isaiah was talking about, when he said, “In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ”Select Matthew 3:3

4John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.Select Matthew 3:4

5From Jerusalem and all Judea and from the Jordan River Valley crowds of people went to John.Select Matthew 3:5

6They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the river.Select Matthew 3:6

7Many Pharisees and Sadducees also came to be baptized. But John said to them: You bunch of snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgment?Select Matthew 3:7

8Do something to show you have really given up your sins.Select Matthew 3:8

9And don't start telling yourselves that you belong to Abraham's family. I tell you that God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.Select Matthew 3:9

10An ax is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into a fire.Select Matthew 3:10

11I baptize you with water so you will give up your sins. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.Select Matthew 3:11

12His threshing fork is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks. He will store the wheat in a barn and burn the husks in a fire that never goes out.Select Matthew 3:12

The Baptism of Jesus

13Jesus left Galilee and went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.Select Matthew 3:13

14But John kept objecting and said, “I ought to be baptized by you. Why have you come to me?”Select Matthew 3:14

15Jesus answered, “For now this is how it should be, because we must do all God wants us to do.” Then John agreed.Select Matthew 3:15

16So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.Select Matthew 3:16

17Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.”Select Matthew 3:17