Chapter 3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of
Judea, and saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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 path straight.
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girtle about
his loins, and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round
about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism,
he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who have warned you to flee from the wrath
to come?
Bring forth therefore fruit, meat for repentance, and think not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our father.
For I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast
into the fire.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.
He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, whose fan is in his hand.
And he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner.
But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him.
But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to
me?
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now, for thus it
becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.
Then he suffered him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.
And, lo, the heavens were opened unto him.
And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.
And, lo, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.