New Testament · Easy read · Matthew
Matthew 3
1Now in those days John the Baptist came, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea
2and saying: "Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near."
3For this is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying: "A voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'"
4Now John himself had his clothing from camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan,
6and they were being baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.
7But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8Therefore bear fruit worthy of repentance,
9and do not suppose that you can say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham as father,' for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
10And even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire.
11I baptize you in water for repentance, but the One coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry — He will baptize you in the holy spirit and fire;
12His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire."
13Then Yeshua arrived from Galilee at the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.
14But John tried to prevent Him, saying: "I have need to be baptized by You, and You come to me?"
15And Yeshua answered and said to him: "Permit it now, for it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" — then he permitted Him.
16And after being baptized, Yeshua went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him and He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him;
17and behold, a voice from the heavens said: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."