“1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of
Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The
voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s
hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts
and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and
all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan,
confessing their sins.”
“7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you
to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for
repentance: 9 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. 10 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. 11 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: 12 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will
throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he
will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
“13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized
of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of
thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him,
Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all
righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 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: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:1-17 AV)
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