Dual Panel1IN THOSE days there appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the Wilderness (Desert) of Judea
2And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3This is he who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness (shouting in the desert), Prepare the road for the Lord, make His highways straight (level, direct).
4This {same} John's garments were made of camel's hair, and he wore a leather girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country round about the Jordan went out to him;
6And they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee {and} escape from the wrath {and} indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming?
8Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];
9And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our forefather; for I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!
10And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy {or} fit to take off {or} carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out {and} clean His threshing floor and gather {and} store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.
14But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?
15But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfill all righteousness [that is, to perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.
16And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.
17And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!