Study Desk

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, ^(C1)the Son of God,

^(C1)just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "^(C2)BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER ^(F1)BEFORE YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

^(C1)THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING ^(F1)OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, 'PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!'"

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, ^(F1)(C1)preaching a baptism of repentance for the ^(C2)forgiveness of sins.

And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

John was clothed with camel's hair and wore ^(C1)a leather belt around his waist, and ^(F1)his diet was locusts and wild honey.

And he was ^(F1)preaching, saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to bend down and untie the straps of His sandals.

"I baptized you ^(F1)with water; but He will baptize you ^(F1)with the Holy Spirit."

^(C1)In those days Jesus ^(C2)came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens ^(F1)opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him;

and a voice came from the heavens: "^(C1)You are My beloved Son; in You I ^(F1)am well pleased."

^(C1)And immediately the Spirit ^(*)brought Him out into the wilderness.

And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by ^(C1)Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.