IN THOSE DAYS JOHN THE BAPTIST CAME, PREACHING IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEA
MATTHEW 3:2
AND SAYING, 'REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS COME NEAR.'
MATTHEW 3:3
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.''
MATTHEW 3:4
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.
MATTHEW 3:5
PEOPLE WENT OUT TO HIM FROM JERUSALEM AND ALL JUDEA AND THE WHOLE REGION OF THE JORDAN.
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CONFESSING THEIR SINS, THEY WERE BAPTIZED BY HIM IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
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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?
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PRODUCE FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE.
MATTHEW 3:9
AND DO NOT THINK YOU CAN SAY TO YOURSELVES, 'WE HAVE ABRAHAM AS OUR FATHER.' I TELL YOU THAT OUT OF THESE STONES GOD CAN RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR ABRAHAM.
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THE AX IS ALREADY AT THE ROOT OF THE TREES, AND EVERY TREE THAT DOES NOT PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT WILL BE CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE.
MATTHEW 3:11
I BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER FOR REPENTANCE. BUT AFTER ME COMES ONE WHO IS MORE POWERFUL THAN I, WHOSE SANDALS I AM NOT WORTHY TO CARRY. HE WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE.
MATTHEW 3:12
HIS WINNOWING FORK IS IN HIS HAND, AND HE WILL CLEAR HIS THRESHING FLOOR, GATHERING HIS WHEAT INTO THE BARN AND BURNING UP THE CHAFF WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE.'
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THEN JESUS CAME FROM GALILEE TO THE JORDAN TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN.
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BUT JOHN TRIED TO DETER HIM, SAYING, 'I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU, AND DO YOU COME TO ME?'
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JESUS REPLIED, 'LET IT BE SO NOW; IT IS PROPER FOR US TO DO THIS TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.' THEN JOHN CONSENTED.
MATTHEW 3:16
AS SOON AS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER. AT THAT MOMENT HEAVEN WAS OPENED, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING ON HIM.
MATTHEW 3:17
And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'