The Concordant Literal New Testament

Matthew’s Account

1

Chapter 3

¹ Now in those days, coming along is John the baptist, heralding in the wilderness of Judea,
² saying: "Repent! for near is the kingdom of the heavens!"
³ For this is he of whom it is declared through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one imploring: 'In the wilderness make ready the road of the Lord! Straight...be making the highways'" of Him!
⁴ Now he, John, had his apparel of camel's hair and a leather girdle about his loins. Now his nourishment was locusts and wild honey.
⁵ Then went out to him Jerusalem and entire Judea, and the entire country about the Jordan,
⁶ and they were baptized in the Jordan river by him, confessing their sins.
⁷ Now, perceiving many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Progeny of vipers! Who intimates to you to be fleeing from the impending indignation?
⁸ Produce, then, fruit worthy of repentance.
⁹ And you should not be presuming to be saying among yourselves, 'For a father we have Abraham,' for I am saying to you that able is God, out of these stones to rouse children to Abraham.
¹⁰ "Yet already the ax is lying at the root of the trees. Every tree, then, which is not producing ideal fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
¹¹ For I, indeed, am baptizing you in water for repentance, yet He Who is coming after me is stronger than I, Whose sandals I am not competent to bear. He will be baptizing you in holy spirit and fire,
¹² Whose winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will be scouring His threshing floor, and will be gathering His grain into His barn, yet the chaff will He be burning up with unextinguished fire."
¹³ Then Jesus is coming along from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.
¹⁴ Yet John prohibited Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by Thee, and Thou art coming to me!"
¹⁵ Yet, answering, Jesus said to him, "by your leave, at present, for thus it is becoming for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he is giving Him leave.
¹⁶ Now, being baptized, Jesus straightway stepped up from the water, and lo! opened up to Him were the heavens, and He perceived the spirit of God descending as if a dove, and coming on Him.
¹⁷ And lo! a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My Son, the Beloved, in Whom I delight."

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