Matthew — Chapter 3

Passage

And in those days comes John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. And saying: Do repentance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. And the same John had his garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan: And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: You brood of vipers, who has showed you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in water to repentance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by you, and comest you to me? And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becomes us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And see a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.