American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying,
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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
3 For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
4 Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
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John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan;
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People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
6 and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
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Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:
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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
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And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
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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.
11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and [in] fire:
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“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
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His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
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Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
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But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.
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Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;
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As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
17 and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.