Common English Bible CEB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing,
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Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was,
2 "Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!"
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"Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near."
3 He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight."
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Isaiah the prophet spoke about this man when he said, "A voice cries out in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"
4 John wore clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
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John wore clothes made from camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.
5 People from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and all around the Jordan River came to him.
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Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.
6 As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
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As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John. He said to them, "You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon?
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But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, "You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God's coming anger?
8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives.
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Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.
9 And don't even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham's children from these stones.
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Don't think you can say, 'Abraham is our ancestor.' I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
10 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.
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The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.
11 I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I'm not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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I baptize you with water so that you will change the way you think and act. But the one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can't be put out."
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His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into a barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out."
13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him.
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Then Jesus appeared. He came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
14 John tried to stop him and said, "I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?"
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But John tried to stop him and said, "I need to be baptized by you. Why are you coming to me?"
15 Jesus answered, "Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness." So John agreed to baptize Jesus.
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Jesus answered him, "This is the way it has to be now. This is the proper way to do everything that God requires of us." Then John gave in to him.
16 When Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him.
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After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down as a dove to him.
17 A voice from heaven said, "This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him."
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Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love--my Son with whom I am pleased."
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.