4Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him,

6and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.3:5–6 Mt 23:37; Mk 1:5; Lk 3:3; Jn 15:22; Ac 19:18

7When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees3:7 Mt 16:1; 22:23; 23:15; Ac 4:1; 5:17; 23:6 coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?3:7 Mt 12:34; 23:33; Rm 5:9; 1Th 1:10

8Therefore produce fruit3:8 Mt 3:10; 12:33; 13:8,26; 21:19,34,41,43; Mk 11:14 consistent with3:8 Lit fruit worthy of repentance.

9And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’3:9 Lk 3:8; Jn 8:33,39; Ac 13:26; Rm 4:1 For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

10The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.3:10 Mt 7:19; Lk 13:7,9; Jn 15:2,6

11“I baptize you with3:11 Or in water for repentance,3:11 Mk 1:4,8; Jn 1:26; Ac 1:5 but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove3:11 Or to carry his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.3:11 Is 4:4; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:3–4; 11:16; Ti 3:5

12His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”3:12 Is 30:24; Mt 13:30; Mk 9:43,48; Lk 3:17

15Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

16When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens3:16 Mt 24:35; Lk 12:33; Ac 17:24; Eph 6:9; Rv 21:10 suddenly opened for him,3:16 Other mss omit for him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.3:16 Is 11:2; Jn 1:32; Ac 7:56; 2Pt 1:17

17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”3:17 Ps 2:7; Is 42:1; Lk 9:35; Jn 12:28