the Fourth Week of Advent
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Read the Bible
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Matthew 3
1 Now, in those days, came John the Immerser, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judaea;2 saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near.3 For, this, is he who was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, A voice, of one crying aloud! In the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths.4 But John, himself, had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, - while, his food, was locusts and wild honey.5 Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan:6 and were being immersed in the Jordan river, by him, openly confessing their sins.
7 But, seeing, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming unto his immersion, he said to them, - Broods of vipers! who suggested to you, to be fleeing from the coming wrath?8 Bring forth, therefore, fruit worthy of repentance;9 and think not to be saying within yourselves, - As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you, that God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham.10 Already also, the axe, unto the root of the trees, is being laid, - every tree, therefore, not bringing forth good fruit, is to be hewn down, and, into fire, to be cast.11 I, indeed, am immersing you, in water, unto repentance, - but, he who, after me, cometh is, mightier than I, whose, sandals, I am not worthy to bear, he, will immerse you, in Holy Spirit and fire:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing-floor, - and will gather his wheat into the granary, but, the chaff, will he burn up with fire unquenchable.
13 Then, cometh Jesus, from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, - to be immersed by him.14 But, he, would have hindered him, saying - I, have, need, by thee, to be immersed, - and dost, thou, come unto me?15 But Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer me even now, - for, thus, it becometh us, to fulfil, all righteousness; then, he suffered him.16 And Jesus, having been immersed, straightway, went up from the water, - and lo! the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God, descending like a dove coming upon him;17 and lo! a voice out of the heavens, - saying, This, is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I delight.