Matthew 3 Now in those days i.e., years later, when Jesus would have come to be known as a Nazarene, John, the Immerser (or: Baptist; the one who immerses), is repeatedly coming to be at the side, progressively birthing himself (= making an appearance) in the midst of the wilderness (within the uninhabited area; in the desert) of the Judean district, continually making public proclamation as a herald,

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Now in those days [i.e., years later, when Jesus would have come to be known as a Nazarene], John, the Immerser (or: Baptist; the one who immerses), is repeatedly coming to be at the side, progressively birthing himself (= making an appearance) in the midst of the wilderness (within the uninhabited area; in the desert) of the Judean [district], continually making public proclamation as a herald, ² habitually saying, "You folks be continuously and progressively changing your thinking – change your perceptions, attitudes, frame of mind, mode of thought and understanding, and turn back [toward God], because the reign of the heavens (the expression and effect of kingdom rule which has its source in the atmospheres; the activity of exercising the sovereignty which exists being the heavens; the reigning [of the King] which pertains to the heavens; the kingdom which belongs to and comes from the atmosphere; the influence of the sovereignty which is the heavens) has approached and is now near at hand and is close enough to touch (= has arrived and is now accessible)!" ³ You see, this is the man being spoken [of?] (or: this is the one [= declaration, or, prophecy] being spoken) through Isaiah the prophet, continuing in saying, "A voice! One repeatedly crying out (shouting; exulting; exclaiming; imploring): 'Within the midst of the wilderness (desert; desolate place; abandoned and uninhabited region) you folks prepare and make ready the road of [the] Lord (or: the path whose source is [Yahweh]; the Way whose character is that of, and which pertains to, [the] Owner [= Yahweh])! Be progressively constructing (making) His highway (thoroughfare) well-placed and straight.'" [Isa. 40:3] (or: "A sound! One is continuously crying out within the midst of the desert: ... ") ⁴ Now John himself was in the habit of having his clothing of woven camel's hair with a leather belt (or: a girdle made of an animal skin) around his waist and loins, and his nourishment continued being locusts and wild honey. ⁵ At that time [folks from] Jerusalem, all the Judean [area], and the region around the Jordan [River] were traveling out to (or: toward) him in a steady stream, ⁶ and they were one after another being immersed (baptized) by him in the Jordan River, while in turn openly confessing (speaking out in agreement with) their failures (their mistakes, sins and failures to hit the target). ⁷ Now upon seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees [two religious and political sects of the Jewish culture] repeatedly or in turn coming upon the immersion (baptism) [event], he said to them, "O offspring (progeny; brood) of vipers (poisonous snakes)! Who secretly pointed out to you people (gave you a private, confidential suggestion) to flee, so as to escape, away from the inherent fervor (the internal swelling that gives rise to an impulse and mental bent which may be expressed in strong emotion, such as anger or wrath; a vigorous upsurge of [God's] nature) which is progressively about to be [demonstrated]? ⁸ "Produce, then, fruit which has a corresponding value to, and is appropriate of, a change in thinking and attitude, as well as a turn [toward God]. ⁹ "Furthermore, do not presume to be habitually saying among yourselves, 'We continue having Abraham [as] a father,' for I am now saying to you that God continues able (or: constantly has power) to at once raise up (or: awaken) children to Abraham (or: for Abraham; in Abraham) from out of these stones! ¹⁰ "Now you see, the ax is already continuing lying [being focused] toward (or: facing toward) the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree not habitually (repeatedly; = seasonally) producing beautiful (ideal; fine) fruit is customarily being cut out [of the orchard or garden], and is normally thrown into a fire. [comment: to be used for fuel] ¹¹ "I myself, on the one hand, continue immersing you folks in water, [which proceeds] into the midst of a change in thinking ([leading you] into a change of perception, frame of mind and mode of thought – into a change of understanding and a turning back [to Yahweh]). On the other hand, the One progressively coming close after me is (exists being) stronger than me (or: I), whose sandals I am not competent (or: adequate) to lift up and carry off. He, Himself, will proceed immersing (baptizing) you folks within the midst of a set-apart Breath-effect and Fire (or: will repeatedly submerge you to the point of saturation, in union with [the] Holy Spirit, even to the permeation of a Sacred Attitude, as well as with [the] Fire) – ¹² "Whose winnowing fork (or: shovel) [is] within His hand, and He will proceed thoroughly cleaning up (clearing, scouring and cleansing) His threshing floor and then will progressively gather (bring together) His grain into the storehouse (granary; barn), yet the chaff (straw and husks) He will continue completely burning, in an inextinguishable Fire." ¹³ At that time Jesus progressively births Himself from the Galilee [province; region], coming to be at the side at the Jordan [River], [and coming] toward John for the purpose of being immersed by him (or: in order to be baptized under him). ¹⁴ Now John kept on trying to completely dissuade and prevent Him, repeatedly saying, "I, myself, continue having a need to be immersed (baptized) by and under You, and yet You are now coming to me?!" ¹⁵ But, decidedly responding, Jesus said to him, "Let this situation flow its course and send [Me] off, right now (at present), for it is in this way proper and fitting for us to fulfill all that accords with the way pointed out (or: to make full every aspect of being turned in the right direction, and of being in right relationship [within the covenant])." Then he let the moment flow on, and proceeded to allow Him (or: At that point [John] yields, and sends Him forth). ¹⁶ Now upon being immersed (baptized), Jesus immediately (straightway) stepped back up from the water – and now look and consider! – the heavens at once opened back up again! [or, with other MSS: the atmospheres were opened up to Him!] Then He saw God's Spirit (Breath-effect; Breath) – as if it were a dove steadily descending – progressively coming upon Him. [cf Gen. 1:2] ¹⁷ And then – look and consider! – a Voice (or: sound) from out of the midst of the atmosphere (or: the sky and the heavens), repeatedly saying, "This is My Son, the Beloved One in Whom I take pleasure and imagine thoughts of well-being (or: This One exists being My dearly loved and esteemed Son, in Whom I approve)!"