The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea.
1
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
3 John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy: Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!
3
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 dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey.
4
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 People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action.
5
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
6 There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
6
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference?
7
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 It's your life that must change, not your skin!
8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
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.