New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 About that time John the Baptist began preaching in the desert area of Judea.
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In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 John said, "Change your hearts and lives because the kingdom of heaven is near."
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and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
3 John the Baptist is the one Isaiah the prophet was talking about when he said: "This is a voice of one who calls out in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make the road straight for him.'"
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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 John's clothes were made from camel's hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate 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 Many people came from Jerusalem and Judea and all the area around the Jordan River to hear John.
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People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
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Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees came to the place where John was baptizing people. When John saw them, he said, "You are all snakes! Who warned you to run away from God's coming punishment?
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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 Do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives.
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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
9 And don't think you can say to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you that God could make children for Abraham from these rocks.
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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 The ax is now ready to cut down the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown 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.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 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.