CHAP. III.
1 Iohn preacheth: his office: life, and Baptisme. 7 He reprehendeth the Pharises, 13 and baptizeth Christ in Iordane.
1
1 In those daies came *Iohn the Baptist, preaching in the wildernesse of Iudea, [ * ]
2
2 And saying, Repent yee: for the kingdome of heauen is at hand.
3
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the Prophet Esaias, saying, *The voyce of one crying in the wildernes, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.[ * ]
4
4 And the same Iohn had his raiment of camels haire, and a leatherne girdle about his loynes, and his meate was locusts and wilde hony.
5
5 Then went out to him Hierusalem, and all Iudea, and all the region round about Iordane,
6
6 And were baptized of him in Iordane, confessing their sinnes.
7
7 ¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his Baptisme, he said vnto them, *O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [ * ]
8
8 Bring forth therefore fruits ||meet for repentance. [|| ]
9
9 And thinke not to say within your selues, *Wee haue Abraham to our father: For I say vnto you, that God is able of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham. [ * ]
10
10 And now also the axe is layd vnto the root of the trees: *Therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire. [ * ]
11
11 I indeed baptize you with water vnto repentance: but he that commeth after mee, is mightier then I, whose shooes I am not worthy to beare, hee shall baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire. [ ]
12
12 Whose fanne is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floore, and gather his wheat into the garner: but wil burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.
13
13 ¶ *Then commeth Iesus from Galilee to Iordane, vnto Iohn, to be baptized of him:[ * ]
14
14 But Iohn forbade him, saying, I haue need to bee baptized of thee, and commest thou to me?
15
15 And Iesus answering, said vnto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnesse. Then he suffered him.
16
16 And Iesus, when hee was baptized, went vp straightway out of the water: and loe, the heauens were opened vnto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a doue, and lighting vpon him.
17
17 And loe, a voice from heauen, saying, This is my beloued Sonne, in whom I am well pleased.
