1 In those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
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 Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And this John had his raiment of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their Sins.
7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Ye serpents, ye brood of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:
9 And say not within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say to you, God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10 But even the axe already lieth at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that 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 the wheat into the garner, but 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 to him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus being baptized, went up straightway from the water, and lo the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon him.
17 And lo a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight.