Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea.
1
Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was,
2 And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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"Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near."
3 For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
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!'"
4 And the same John had his garment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was 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 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan:
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Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.
6 And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
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As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7 And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?
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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 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
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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 think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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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 For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.
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.
11 I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and 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 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
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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 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him.
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Then Jesus appeared. He came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou 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 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him.
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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 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon 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 And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love--my Son with whom I am pleased."