(KJV) Matthew 3¹

⥃The Mission of John the Baptist ^{[ Isaiah 40:1–5 † Mark 1:1–8 † Luke 3:1–20 † John 1:19–28 ]}

[1] In those² days came John³ the Baptist, preaching⁴ in the wilderness⁵ of Judea, [2] And saying, Repent⁶ ye: for⁷ the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [3] For this is he that was spoken of by⁸ the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare⁹ ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. [4] And the same John had his raiment¹⁰ of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his¹¹ meat was locusts and wild¹² honey. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,¹³ [6] And were¹⁴ baptized of him in Jordan, confessing¹⁵ their sins.

[7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees¹⁶ and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation¹⁷ of vipers, who¹⁸ hath warned you to flee¹⁹ from the wrath to come? [8] Bring forth²⁰ therefore fruits²¹ meet²² for repentance: [9] And think²³ not to say within yourselves, We²⁴ have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God²⁵ is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. [10] And now²⁶ also the ax²⁷e is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore²⁸ every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn²⁹ down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize³⁰ you with water unto repentance: but³¹ he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose³² shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall³³ baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: [12] Whose fan³⁴ [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly³⁵ purge his floor, and gather³⁶ his wheat into the garner; but³⁷ he will burn up the chaff with³⁸ unquenchable fire.

⥃The Baptism of Jesus ^{[ Mark 1:9–11 † Luke 3:21–22 † John 1:29–34 ]}

[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.³⁹ [14] But John⁴⁰ forbad him, saying, I have⁴¹ need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer⁴² [it to be so] now: for⁴³ thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. [16] And Jesus⁴⁴, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo⁴⁵, the heavens were opened unto him, and he⁴⁶ saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [17] And lo⁴⁷ a voice from heaven, saying, This⁴⁸ is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.