III. * In those days came aJohn the Baptist, preaching bin the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, Repent ye: for cthe kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, dThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, ePrepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of fcamel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was glocusts and hwild honey. 5 Then went out to him iJerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 kand were baptized of him lin Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and llSadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, mO generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from nthe wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits * meet for repentance: 9 and nnthink not to say within yourselves, oWe have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: ptherefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water qunto repentance: rbut he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall sbaptize you with tthe Holy Ghost, and with ufire: 12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge xhis floor, and ygather his wheat into the garner; but will zburn up the chaff with zzunquenchable fire.

13 * aThen cometh Jesus bfrom Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil call righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw dthe Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 eand lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my fbeloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.