Study Desk

Now, in those days, came John the Immerser, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judaea;

saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near.

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.

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.

Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan:

and were being immersed in the Jordan river, by him, openly confessing their sins.

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?

Bring forth, therefore, fruit worthy of repentance;

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.

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.

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:

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.