Matthew 3:1-11

NSB(i) 1 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming: 2 »Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.« 3 Isaiah spoke of John when he said: »He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah. Make his paths straight.’« (Isaiah 40:3) 4 John wore clothes made from camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him. 6 They confessed their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River. 7 He saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism. »You offspring of vipers,« he said, »who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 »Bear fruit worthy of repentance! 9 »Do not presume that Abraham is your father. I tell you that God can make descendants for Abraham from these stones! 10 »The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 »I baptize you with water because of your repentance. He that comes after me is mightier than I. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. I am not even good enough to carry his sandals.