| 章 |
| 3:1 |
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
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| 3:2 |
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
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| 3:3 |
This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
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| 3:4 |
Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
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| 3:5 |
Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan,
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| 3:6 |
and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
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| 3:7 |
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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| 3:8 |
Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
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| 3:9 |
Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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| 3:10 |
Even now 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.
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| 3:11 |
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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| 3:12 |
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
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| 3:13 |
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
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| 3:14 |
John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
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| 3:15 |
But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
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| 3:16 |
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
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| 3:17 |
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
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