Matthew Chapter Three The Preaching of John 1-6And in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the waste land of Judea, saying: "Let your hearts be turned from sin; for the kingdom of heaven is near." For this is he of whom Isaiah the prophet said, "The voice of one crying in the waste land, 'Make ready the way of Jehovah, make his roads straight.'" (Isaiah 40:3) Now John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather band around his hips; and his food was locusts and honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea went out to him, and all the people from near Jordan; And they were given baptism [immersion] by him in the river Jordan, saying openly that they had done wrong. 7-12But when he saw a number of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: "You are children of snakes! At whose word are you running from the anger of God that is to come? Let your change of heart be seen in your works: And say not to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; because I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children for Abraham. And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; every tree then which does not give good fruit is cut down, and put into the fire. Truly, I give baptism with water to those of you whose hearts are changed; but he who comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to take up; he will give you baptism with holy spirit and with fire. In whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned up in the fire which will never be put out." Jesus Is Baptized [Immersed] by John 13-17Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be given baptism by John. But John would have kept him back by saying: "It is I who have need of baptism from you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus made an answer, saying to him: "Let it be so for now, because this is the proper way for us to make righteousness complete." Then John gave Jesus baptism [immersion] in water. And Jesus, having been given baptism, straight away went up from the water; and, the heavens opening to him, he saw the spirit of God coming down on him as a dove; And a voice came out of heaven, saying, "This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased."