Luke 3:12-28 - Free Bible Version

¹²Some tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher, what should we do?” they also asked.

¹³“Don't collect any more tax than you're meant to,” he replied.

¹⁴“What about us?” some soldiers asked. “What should we do?” “Don't demand money with threats of violence. Don't make accusations that are untrue. Be satisfied with your wages,” he replied.

¹⁵The people were waiting expectantly, and wondered whether John himself might be the Messiah.

¹⁶John replied and explained to everybody, “Yes, I am baptizing you in water. But the one who is coming is more important than me, and I'm not worthy to undo his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

¹⁷His winnowing fork is in his hand and he's ready to separate the wheat from the chaff on his threshing floor. He'll gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that can't be extinguished.”

¹⁸John gave many warnings like this as he announced the good news to the people.

¹⁹But when John reprimanded Herod the ruler for marrying Herodias, Herod's brother's wife, and for all the evil things he'd done,

²⁰Herod added to his crimes by having John thrown into jail.

²¹Now it happened that after everyone had been baptized, Jesus was baptized as well. As he was praying, heaven was opened,

²²and the Holy Spirit descended upon him, taking the form of a dove. A voice came from heaven, saying, “You are my son, the one I love. I am truly pleased with you.”

²³Jesus was around thirty when he began his public ministry. People presumed he was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli,

²⁴the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

²⁵the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

²⁶the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,

²⁷the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

²⁸the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,