New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
1
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
2 As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You."
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as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” —
3 "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' "
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“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
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And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
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The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
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John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
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And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
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I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. 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.