MLV(i)
1 Now in those days John the Immerser comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, Repent; for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.
3 For this one is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘A voice is crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make*\'b0 his paths straight.’
4 Now John himself had his outer clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his loin, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem and everyone in Judea and everyone from the region around the Jordan were traveling out to him.
6 And they were being immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the future wrath?
8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.
9 Do not think to say among yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able to lift up children out of these stones for Abraham.
10 But even already, the ax is laid to the root of the trees, because every tree which is not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed immerse you in water toward repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not sufficient to bear. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit; 12 whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will be thoroughly cleansing his threshing floor, and he will be gathering his grain into the barn, but the chaff he will be burning up with unquenchable fire.
11 I indeed immerse you in water toward repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not sufficient to bear. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit; 12 whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will be thoroughly cleansing his threshing floor, and he will be gathering his grain into the barn, but the chaff he will be burning up with unquenchable fire.