John the Baptist1Some years later, John the Baptist began to preach in the Judean desert saying:2"Repent! Turn from your sins and return to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is approaching."3John was the one referred to by the prophet Isaiah: "A voice will be heard in the desert calling, 'Make ready for the Lord's coming; make a straight pathway for Him!'"4John wore clothes of camel hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.5People came to him from Jerusalem, all over Judea and from the whole region around the river Jordan.6After confessing their sins, they were immersed by John in the river.7However, when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees arriving at the place where he was baptising, he addressed them by saying: "You are a brood of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to flee from the Lord's anger that is coming upon you?8You have to produce fruit that proves you have genuinely repented.9It is no use saying to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father, so we are safe!' I tell you plainly that God is able to raise up children for Abraham out of these stones.10The axe is ready to fell the trees, and every one who does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire of judgment.11"I immerse in water those who have truly turned away from their sins and surrendered to God. But after me someone more powerful than I is coming. I am not fit even to carry His sandals. He will immerse people in the Holy Spirit and in God's purifying fire.12The tools for gathering the harvest are in His hand. He will preside over the spiritual threshing floor, gathering the good wheat into His barn, but burning the useless chaff in unquenchable fire."Jesus' baptism13One day Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.14But John was very reluctant to do this, saying to Jesus: "I should be immersed by You, and yet You come to me!"15Jesus replied: "This is how it should be for now; for in this way it will be seen that we will fulfil everything necessary for righteousness." Then John agreed to do as Jesus wanted.16After Jesus had been baptised He came out of the water. Then the heavens were opened to Him, and the Spirit of God descended upon Him as a dove and remained on Him.17And a voice from heaven was heard, saying: "This is My Son whom I love; I am very pleased with Him."
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)