Matthew

施洗約翰傳道

1那時，有施洗的約翰出來，在猶太的曠野傳道，說：

2「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」

3這人就是先知以賽亞所說的。他說：「在曠野有人聲喊着說：預備主的道， 修直他的路！」

4這約翰身穿駱駝毛的衣服，腰束皮帶，吃的是蝗蟲、野蜜。

5那時，耶路撒冷和猶太全地，並約旦河一帶地方的人，都出去到約翰那裏，

6承認他們的罪，在約旦河裏受他的洗。

7約翰看見許多法利賽人和撒都該人也來受洗，就對他們說：「毒蛇的種類！誰指示你們逃避將來的忿怒呢？

8你們要結出果子來，與悔改的心相稱。

9不要自己心裏說：『有亞伯拉罕為我們的祖宗。』我告訴你們，上帝能從這些石頭中給亞伯拉罕興起子孫來。

10現在斧子已經放在樹根上，凡不結好果子的樹就砍下來，丟在火裏。

11我是用水給你們施洗，叫你們悔改。但那在我以後來的，能力比我更大，我就是給他提鞋也不配。他要用聖靈與火給你們施洗。

12他手裏拿着簸箕，要揚淨他的場，把麥子收在倉裏，把糠用不滅的火燒盡了。」

耶穌受洗

13當下，耶穌從加利利來到約旦河，見了約翰，要受他的洗。

14約翰想要攔住他，說：「我當受你的洗，你反倒上我這裏來嗎？」

15耶穌回答說：「你暫且許我，因為我們理當這樣盡諸般的義。」於是約翰許了他。

16耶穌受了洗，隨即從水裏上來。天忽然為他開了，他就看見上帝的靈彷彿鴿子降下，落在他身上。

17從天上有聲音說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」

The Mission of John the Baptist

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

3This 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.’”

4John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.

6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7But 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?

8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

9And 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.

10The 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.

11I baptize you with waterfor 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.

12His 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

13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

15“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened,and He sawthe Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.

17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”