Matthew

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!”

施洗约翰传道

1那时，有施洗的约翰出来，在犹太的旷野传道，说：

2「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」

3这人就是先知以赛亚所说的。他说：「在旷野有人声喊着说：预备主的道， 修直他的路！」

4这约翰身穿骆驼毛的衣服，腰束皮带，吃的是蝗虫、野蜜。

5那时，耶路撒冷和犹太全地，并约旦河一带地方的人，都出去到约翰那里，

6承认他们的罪，在约旦河里受他的洗。

7约翰看见许多法利赛人和撒都该人也来受洗，就对他们说：「毒蛇的种类！谁指示你们逃避将来的愤怒呢？

8你们要结出果子来，与悔改的心相称。

9不要自己心里说：『有亚伯拉罕为我们的祖宗。』我告诉你们， 神能从这些石头中给亚伯拉罕兴起子孙来。

10现在斧子已经放在树根上，凡不结好果子的树就砍下来，丢在火里。

11我是用水给你们施洗，叫你们悔改。但那在我以后来的，能力比我更大，我就是给他提鞋也不配。他要用圣灵与火给你们施洗。

12他手里拿着簸箕，要扬净他的场，把麦子收在仓里，把糠用不灭的火烧尽了。」

耶稣受洗

13当下，耶稣从加利利来到约旦河，见了约翰，要受他的洗。

14约翰想要拦住他，说：「我当受你的洗，你反倒上我这里来吗？」

15耶稣回答说：「你暂且许我，因为我们理当这样尽诸般的义。」于是约翰许了他。

16耶稣受了洗，随即从水里上来。天忽然为他开了，他就看见 神的灵仿佛鸽子降下，落在他身上。

17从天上有声音说：「这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。」