The Mission of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)
1 ULT Now in those days, John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, BSB BSB: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 ULT saying,“Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is near.” BSB BSB: and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
3 ULT For this is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying,“A voice of one calling out in the wilderness,‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” 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 ULT Now this John had his clothing from the hair of a camel and a leather belt around his waist, and his food 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 ULT Then were going out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the{ region} around the Jordan, BSB BSB: People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
6 ULT and being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. BSB BSB: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 ULT Now, having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them,“Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 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 ULT Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance. BSB BSB: Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
9 ULT And you should not think to say in yourselves,‘We have Abraham{ as} father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 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 ULT But already the ax is set against the root of the trees. So, every tree not producing good fruit is chopped down and thrown into a 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 ULT I indeed baptize you with water for repentance. But the one coming after me is more powerful than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry away his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with 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 ULT whose winnowing fork{ is} in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff 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 ULT Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him. BSB BSB: At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 ULT But John was hindering him, saying,“I have need to be baptized by you, and yet you come 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 ULT But answering, Jesus said to him,“Permit{ it} now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permits 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 ULT and behold, a voice from the heavens, saying,“This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” BSB BSB: And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”