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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber'i-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae'a and Trachoni'tis, and Lysa'ni-as tetrarch of Abile'ne,
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1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar--when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene--
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2 in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca'iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari'ah in the wilderness;
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2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.
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3 and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
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3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
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4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
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5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
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5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
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6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
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6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
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7 He said therefore to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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8 Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
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9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
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9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
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10 And the multitudes asked him, "What then shall we do?"
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10 "What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
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11 And he answered them, "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."
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11 John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
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12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
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12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
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13 And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you."
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13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
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14 Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."
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14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."
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15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ,
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15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.
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16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
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17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
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18 So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.
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18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.
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19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Hero'di-as, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,
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19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done,
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20 added this to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
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20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
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| Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version - Holy Bible) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
