GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New King James Version NKJV
1 Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was,
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In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near."
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and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
3 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!'"
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For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' "
4 John wore clothes made from camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.
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And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.
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Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him
6 As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
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and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 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?
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But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.
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Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
9 Don't think you can say, 'Abraham is our ancestor.' I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
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and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10 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.
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And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 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.
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I indeed baptize you with water unto 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 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."
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His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
13 Then Jesus appeared. He came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
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Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to stop him and said, "I need to be baptized by you. Why are you coming to me?"
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And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15 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.
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But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16 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.
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When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love--my Son with whom I am pleased."
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And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.