Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In those days, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. He called people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven was near.

John's message was prophesied by Isaiah: "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, making his paths straight.'" John himself wore clothing made from camel hair and a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

People came to him from Jerusalem, all over Judea, and even from the region around Jordan. They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. However, when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, John spoke out against them: "You are offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance."

Don't think that because you have Abraham as your father, you're automatically saved. I tell you that God can raise up children to Abraham from these very stones. And now, an axe is laid at the root of every tree; any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and burned in the fire.

I'm baptizing you with water for the purpose of repentance, but there's someone who comes after me – he's mightier than I am. I'm not worthy to carry his sandals. He'll baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

This person's winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He'll gather his wheat into a storehouse but burn up the chaff with an unquenchable fire.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River, where John baptized him. But John tried to stop him, saying, "I have to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Allow it now, for this is the way we must fulfill all righteousness." So he allowed it.

As soon as Jesus was baptized and came up out of the water, the heavens opened up, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove. The Spirit landed on him, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."