The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
13 Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him.
13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!"
14
But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it.
15
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit - it looked like a dove - descending and landing on him.
16
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 along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
17
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
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.