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The Preaching of John the Baptist

^1 (C1)In those days ^(F1)John the Baptist appeared, ^(C2)preaching in the ^(C3)Wilderness of Judea along the western side of the Dead Sea and saying,² "^(F1)(C1)Repent change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God's purpose for your life, for ^(C2)the kingdom of heaven is at hand."³ This is ^(C1)the one who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

"^(C2)THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS,
'^(C3)PREPARE THE ROAD FOR THE LORD,
^(F1)MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT (level, direct)!'" ^(VR1)

⁷ But when he saw many of the ^(F1)(C1)Pharisees and ^(F2)(C2)Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You ^(C3)brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from ^(C4)the divine wrath and judgment to come?⁸ "So ^(C1)produce fruit that is ^(C2)consistent with repentance demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin;⁹ and do not presume to say to yourselves as a defense, '^(C1)We have Abraham for our father so our inheritance assures us of salvation'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. ^(VR1)10 "And already the ^(C1)axe of God's judgment is ^(F1)swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore ^(C2)every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ "^(C1)As for me, I baptize you ^(F1)with water because of your repentance that is, because you are willing to change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life, but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier more powerful, more noble than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove even as His slave; ^(C2)He will baptize you who truly repent with the Holy Spirit and you who remain unrepentant with ^(F2)fire (judgment). ^(VR1)12 "His ^(F1)(C1)winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will ^(C2)gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the ^(C3)chaff (the unrepentant) with ^(C4)unquenchable fire."

The Baptism of Jesus

^13 (C1)Then Jesus came ^(C2)from Galilee to John at the Jordan River, to be baptized by him. ^(VR1)14 But John tried to prevent Him vigorously protesting, saying, "It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"¹⁵ But Jesus replied to him, "Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us ^(F1)(C1)to fulfill all righteousness." Then John permitted it and baptized Him.¹⁶ After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and ^(C1)he (John) saw the ^(F1)Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), ^(VR1)17 and behold, a ^(F1)voice from heaven said, "^(C1)This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!" ^(VR1)