King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
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In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'"
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
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Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
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Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
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and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath 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 his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
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Bear 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 presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
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Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
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"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier 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 throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
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His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
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Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
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John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 And Jesus answering said unto him,Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
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But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
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And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.