Matthew 3 Matthew 3
Birth and preparation of the King
The Mission of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)
1 DRA And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. BSB BSB: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 DRA And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. BSB BSB: and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
3 DRA 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. BSB BSB: 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.’”
4 DRA And the same John had his garment of camels’ hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. BSB BSB: John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 DRA Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan: BSB BSB: People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
6 DRA And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. BSB BSB: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 DRA 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? BSB BSB: But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 DRA Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance. BSB BSB: Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
9 DRA 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. BSB BSB: And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
10 DRA 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. BSB BSB: The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 DRA I indeed baptize you in the 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. BSB BSB: I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12 DRA 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. BSB BSB: His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)
13 DRA Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. BSB BSB: At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 DRA But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? BSB BSB: But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 DRA And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him. BSB BSB: “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
17 DRA And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. BSB BSB: And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”