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The Blue Letter Bible

Matthew 3 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

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John the Baptist Prepares the Way
(Mar 1:2–8; Luk 3:1–20 )
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:1 - In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:2 - “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:3 - The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’”[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:4 - John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:5 - People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:6 - And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:7 - But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,[fn] he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:8 - Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:9 - Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:10 - Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:11 - “I baptize with[fn] water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:12 - He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus
(Mar 1:9–11; Luk 3:21, 22; Jhn 1:29–34 )
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:13 - Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:14 - But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:15 - But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[fn] So John agreed to baptize him.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:16 - After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[fn] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.
Unchecked Copy BoxMat 3:17 - And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
NLT Footnotes
Or has come, or is coming soon.
Isa 40:3 (Greek version).
Or coming to be baptized.
Or in.
Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
Or for we must fulfill all righteousness.
Some manuscripts read opened to him.
NLT

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Full copyright information is provided here. Visit the New Living Translation website.

For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.

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Matthew Chapter 3 — Additional Translations: