Matthew 3

1 In those days John the Immerser comes, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea [a] 2 and saying, “Have a change of mind, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near.” [b] 3 For this is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, who said: [d]

4 John himself had his clothing from camel hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country around the Jordan went out to him, 6 and they were immersed by him in the Jordan River, openly acknowledging their sins. [e]

7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is coming? 8 So produce fruit worthy of a change of mind, 9 and do not presume to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able out of these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Already the axe is laid at the root of the trees; so every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I immerse you in water for a change of mind; but the one coming after me is stronger than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be immersed by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be immersed by you, and you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he let him. †

16 And when Jesus had been immersed he came up at once from the water; and look, the heavens were opened, and he saw God’s Spirit coming down like a dove, coming upon him; [f] † 17 and look, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I have taken delight.”