Luke 3:4-25 in English

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?

¹¹ And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

¹² And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Teacher, what must we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse any one wrongfully; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:

¹⁷ whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

¹⁸ With many other exhortations therefore preached he good tidings unto the people;

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

¹⁷ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

²⁰ Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

²⁴ Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

²⁵ Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

¹⁷ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

²⁰ Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

²⁴ Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

²⁵ Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And even now is the axe also laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?

¹¹ And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

¹² And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Master, what must we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither exact anything wrongfully; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

¹⁷ whose fan is in his hand, throughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

¹⁸ With many other exhortations therefore preached he good tidings unto the people;

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ John was the one who fulfilled these words that had been written by the prophet Isaiah {that the prophet Isaiah had written} on a scroll long ago: In a desolate area, someone SYN will be heard shouting to the people who pass by, “Prepare yourselves to receive the Lord when he comes! Make yourselves ready so that you will be prepared when he comes, just like people straighten out the road MET for an important official MET, DOU!

⁵ Just like people level off all the places where the land rises and just like they fill all the ravines, and just like people make the road straight wherever it is crooked, and just like people make smooth the bumps in the road, similarly you need to remove all the obstacles which prevent God from blessing you!

⁶ Then people SYN everywhere will understand how God can save MTY people.”

⁷ Although large groups of people came to John to be baptized {in order that he would baptize them}, he knew that many of them were not sincere. So he kept saying to them, “You people are evil MET like poisonous snakes! I warn you that God will some day punish MTY everyone who sins. And ◄do not think that you can escape from his punishing MTY you if you do not turn from your sinful behavior!/did someone tell you that you can escape from his punishing MTY you if you do not turn from your sinful behavior?► RHQ (OR, Who told you that you could escape God's punishment?)

⁸ Do what is appropriate for people who have truly turned from their sinful behavior! God promised to give Abraham many descendants. In order to fulfill that promise, God does not need you! I tell you that he can change these stones to make them descendants of Abraham! So do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We (exc) are descendants of Abraham, so God will not punish us, even though we have sinned!’

⁹ God is ready to punish you if you do not turn away from your sinful behavior, just like a man MET lays his axe at the roots of a fruit tree to chop it down and throw it into the fire if it does not produce good fruit MET.”

¹⁰ Then various ones in the crowd asked John, “What shall we (exc) do to escape God punishing us (OR), to show that we have repented?”

¹¹ He answered them, “If any of you has two shirts, you should give one of them to someone who has no shirt. If any of you has plenty of food, you should give some to those who have no food.”

¹² Some tax collectors came and asked to be baptized ( asked him to baptize them}. They asked him, “Teacher, what shall we (exc) do to please God?”

¹³ He said to them, “Do not take from the people any more money than the Roman government tells you to take!”

¹⁴ Some soldiers asked him, “What about us? What should we (exc) do to please God?” He said to them, “Do not say to anyone, ‘ If you(sg) do not give me some money, I will hurt you,’ and do not take people to court and falsely accuse them of doing something wrong! And be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ People were expecting that the Messiah would come soon. Because of that, many of them wondered about John. Some of them asked him if he was the Messiah.

¹⁶ John replied to them all, “No, I am not. I used only water when I baptized you. But the Messiah will soon come! He is far greater than I am. He is so great that I am not worthy to be like his slave and untie his sandals MET like a slave would do! He will put his Holy Spirit within MTY you to truly change your lives, and he will judge others of you and punish you in the fire MET in hell.

¹⁷ He is like a man MET who wants to clear away the grain on the ground where it has been threshed {they have threshed it}. That man uses a huge fork to throw the grain into the air to separate the wheat from the chaff MET, and then he cleans up the threshing area. Similarly, God will separate righteous people from the evil people, like a man who gathers the wheat into his storage area, and then he will burn those who are like chaff with a fire ◄that will never be put out/that will burn forever►.”

¹⁸ John kept telling people many things to urge them to turn to God, as he told them the good message from God.

¹⁹ He also rebuked the ruler of the district, Herod Antipas. He rebuked him for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, while his brother was still alive, and for doing many other evil things.

²⁰ But Herod had his soldiers put John in prison. That was another evil thing he did.

²¹ But before John was put in prison, when many people were being baptized {when he was baptizing many people}, after Jesus was baptized {he baptized Jesus} and Jesus was praying, the sky opened.

²² Then the Holy Spirit, resembling a dove, descended upon Jesus. And God SYN/EUP spoke to Jesus from heaven, saying, “You (sg) are my Son, whom I love dearly. I am very pleased with you!”

²³ When Jesus began his work for God, he was about thirty years old. It was { People} thought that he was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.

²⁴ Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melchi. Melchi was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph.

²⁵ Joseph was the son of Mattathias. Mattathias was the son of Amos. Amos was the son of Nahum. Nahum was the son of Esli. Esli was the son of Naggai.

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptised by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say amongst yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptised, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered them all, “I indeed baptise you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptise you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptised, Jesus also had been baptised and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it says in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his roads straight.

⁵ Every valley will be lifted up, and all the mountains and hills made low, and the twisted will be made straight, and the rough ways smooth;

⁶ And all flesh will see the salvation of God.

⁷ So he said to the people who went out to him for baptism: You offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?

⁸ Make clear by your acts that your hearts have been changed; and do not say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children of Abraham.

⁹ And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; and every tree which does not have good fruit will be cut down and put into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people put questions to him, saying, What have we to do?

¹¹ And he made answer and said to them, He who has two coats, let him give to him who has not even one; and he who has food, let him do the same.

¹² Then tax-farmers came to him for baptism and said to him, Master, what have we to do?

¹³ And he said to them, Do not make an attempt to get more money than the right amount.

¹⁴ And men of the army put questions to him, saying, And what have we to do? And he said to them, Do no violent acts to any man, and do not take anything without right, and let your payment be enough for you.

¹⁵ And while the people were waiting, and all men were questioning in their hearts about John, if he was the Christ or not,

¹⁶ John made answer, saying to them all, Truly, I give you baptism with water, but one is coming who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

¹⁷ 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 in the fire which will never be put out.

¹⁸ And so comforting them with these and other words, he gave the good news to the people;

¹⁹ But Herod the king, because John had made a protest on account of Herodias, his brother's wife, and other evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ Did this most evil thing of all, and had John shut up in prison.

²¹ Now it came about that when all the people had been given baptism, Jesus, having had baptism with them, was in prayer, when, the heaven being open,

²² The Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying, You are my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus at this time was about thirty years old, being the son (as it seemed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet: Voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

⁵ Every gorge shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked places shall become a straight path, and the rough places smooth ways,

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ He said therefore to the crowds which went out to be baptised by him, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ Produce therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹ And already also the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him saying, What should we do then?

¹¹ And he answering says to them, He that has two body-coats, let him give to him that has none; and he that has food, let him do likewise.

¹² And tax-gatherers came also to be baptised, and they said to him, Teacher, what should we do?

¹³ And he said to them, Take no more money than what is appointed to you.

¹⁴ And persons engaged in military service also asked him saying, And we, what should we do? And he said to them, Oppress no one, nor accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your pay.

¹⁵ But as the people were in expectation, and all were reasoning in their hearts concerning John whether he might be the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered all, saying, I indeed baptise you with water, but the mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to unloose; he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire;

¹⁷ whose winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ Exhorting then many other things also he announced his glad tidings to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him as to Herodias, the wife of his brother, and as to all the wicked things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to all the rest, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ And it came to pass, all the people having been baptised, and Jesus having been baptised and praying, that the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove upon him; and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I have found my delight.

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years old; being as was supposed son of Joseph; of Eli,

²⁴ of Matthat, of Levi, of Melchi, of Janna, of Joseph,

²⁵ of Mattathias, of Amos, of Naoum, of Esli, of Naggai,

⁴ As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight; and the rough ways plain;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him: Ye offspring of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance; and do not begin to say, We have Abraham for our father. For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹ For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do?

¹¹ And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner.

¹² And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do?

¹³ But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay.

¹⁵ And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier that I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

¹⁷ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

¹⁸ And many other things exhorting, did he preach to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, when he was reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done;

²⁰ He added this also above all, and shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened;

²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning about the age of thirty years; being (as it was supposed) the son of Joseph, who was of Heli, who was of Mathat,

²⁴ Who was of Levi, who was of Melchi, who was of Janne, who was of Joseph,

²⁵ Who was of Mathathias, who was of Amos, who was of Nahum, who was of Hesli, who was of Nagge,

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “A voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be humbled; the crooked roads shall become straight, and the rough roads shall become smooth;

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

⁷ Then he said to the crowds which came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones!

⁹ And even now the ax is being laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and is thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ So the people were asking him, saying, “What shall we do then?”

¹¹ He answered and said to them, “He who has two shirts, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

¹³ And he said to them, “Collect nothing more than the amount which has been commanded to you.”

¹⁴ Likewise the soldiers also were asking him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ Now while the people waited, and all considered in their hearts about John, whether he might be the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire;

¹⁷ whose winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ And with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

²⁰ he also added this to all his other sins, and locked up John in the prison.

²¹ Now it came to pass that when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized. And while He was praying, heaven was opened;

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came out of heaven, saying, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

²³ Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as it was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “A voice calling out: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness, make His paths straight.

⁵ Every ravine will be filled up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the crooked parts of the roads will be straightened out, and the rough parts will be smoothed out;

⁶ and all flesh will see the salvation of God.’ ”

⁷ Then he said to the crowds that were coming out to be baptized by him: “You sons of poisonous snakes! Who tipped you off to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ Well then, produce fruits befitting repentance, and don't even begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father,’ because I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ But even now the axe is being laid to the root of the trees; so then, every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ So the people started asking him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ In answer he said to them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food should do likewise.”

¹² Well even tax collectors came to be baptized by him and said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ So He said to them, “Don't charge more than what was determined to you.”

¹⁴ So the soldiers started asking him too: “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Don't extort or harass anyone, and be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ Now as the people were expectant and all were reasoning in their hearts concerning John, whether he just might be the Messiah,

¹⁶ John anticipated them all saying: “I indeed am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire;

¹⁷ whose winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ (Indeed, with many other exhortations as well he kept on preaching to the people;

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch—being reproved by him concerning Herodias, his brother's wife, as also about all the wicked things that Herod perpetrated—

²⁰ added this also to them all: he actually locked John up in his prison.)

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus, having been baptized also, was praying, when the heaven was opened

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove and rested upon Him, and a Voice came out of heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son; in you I am always well pleased.”

²³ (Beginning His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (so it was supposed) a son of Joseph, Jesus Himself was of Eli,

²⁴ of Matthan, of Levi, of Melchi, of Janna, of Joseph,

²⁵ of Mattathiah, of Amos, of Nahum, of Esli, of Naggai,

⁴ As Isaiah the prophet wrote: “A voice was heard crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord: make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. Crooked ways will be straightened, and rough roads will be smoothed.

⁶ Every human being will see God's salvation.’”

⁷ John addressed the crowds that came to him to be baptized. “You viper's brood! Who warned you to flee from the coming judgment?” he asked.

⁸ “Demonstrate that you have truly repented. Don't try to justify yourselves by saying, ‘We're Abraham's descendants.’ Let me tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these stones.

⁹ The ax is set to begin chopping at the base of the trees. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ “So what should we do?” the crowds asked him.

¹¹ “If you have two coats, then share with someone who doesn't have one. If you have food, then share with those who don't,” he told them.

¹² Some 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.

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

¹⁶ John 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.

¹⁷ His 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.”

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

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

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

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

²² and 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.”

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

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the booke of the sayings of Esaias the Prophet, which saith, The voyce of him that crieth in the wildernes is, Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make his paths straight.

⁵ Euery valley shalbe filled, and euery mountaine and hill shall be brought lowe, and crooked things shalbe made straight, and the rough wayes shalbe made smoothe.

⁶ And all flesh shall see the saluation of God.

⁷ Then said he to the people that were come out to be baptized of him, O generations of vipers, who hath forewarned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring foorth therefore fruites worthy amendment of life, and beginne not to say with your selues, We haue Abraham to our father: for I say vnto you, that God is able of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham.

⁹ Nowe also is the axe layed vnto the roote of the trees: therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite, shalbe hewen downe, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ Then the people asked him, saying, What shall we doe then?

¹¹ And he answered, and said vnto them, He that hath two coates, let him part with him that hath none: and hee that hath meate, let him doe likewise.

¹² Then came there Publicanes also to bee baptized, and saide vnto him, Master, what shall we doe?

¹³ And hee saide vnto them, Require no more then that which is appointed vnto you.

¹⁴ The souldiers likewise demaunded of him, saying, And what shall we doe? And he saide vnto them, Doe violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ As the people waited, and all men mused in their heartes of Iohn, if he were not that Christ,

¹⁶ Iohn answered, and saide to them all, In deede I baptize you with water, but one stronger then I, commeth, whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to vnloose: hee will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.

¹⁷ Whose fanne is in his hande, and hee will make cleane his floore, and will gather the wheate into his garner, but the chaffe will hee burne vp with fire that neuer shalbe quenched.

¹⁸ Thus then exhorting with many other things, he preached vnto the people.

¹⁹ But when Herod the Tetrarch was rebuked of him, for Herodias his brother Philips wife, and for all the euils which Herod had done,

²⁰ He added yet this aboue all, that he shut vp Iohn in prison.

²¹ Nowe it came to passe, as all the people were baptized, and that Iesus was baptized and did pray, that the heauen was opened:

²² And the holy Ghost came downe in a bodily shape like a doue, vpon him, and there was a voyce from heauen, saying, Thou art my beloued Sonne: in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Iesus himselfe began to bee about thirtie yeere of age, being as men supposed the sonne of Ioseph, which was the sonne of Eli,

²⁴ The sonne of Matthat, the sonne of Leui, the sonne of Melchi, the sonne of Ianna, the sonne of Ioseph,

²⁵ The sonne of Mattathias, the sonne of Amos, the sonne of Naum, the sonne of Esli, the sonne of Nagge,

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

¹⁶ John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

¹⁷ whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

²⁰ added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

²⁴ which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

²⁵ which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth;

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes that came forth to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹ And already also is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?

¹¹ He answered and said to them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

¹² And there came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Teacher, what must we do?

¹³ And he said to them, Exact no more than hath been ordered you.

¹⁴ And soldiers also asked him, saying, And what must we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no one, accuse no one falsely, and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And while the people were in expectation, and all were considering in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered and said to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing-shovel is in his hand to thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

¹⁸ And giving many other exhortations he published the glad tidings to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias the wife of his brother, and on account of all the evil deeds which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ And it came to pass, when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying, that the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in a bodily shape as a dove; and a voice came from heaven: “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.”

²³ And Jesus himself was, when he began, about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, who was the son of Heli,

²⁴ who was the son of Matthath, who was the son of Levi, who was the son of Melchi, who was the son of Jannai, who was the son of Joseph,

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

⁴ This was in fulfilment of what is said in the writings of the prophet Isaiah — ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: “Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every chasm will be filled, Every mountain and hill will be levelled, The winding ways will be straightened, The rough roads made smooth,

⁶ and everyone will see the salvation of God.”’

⁷ And John said to the crowds that went to be baptised by him, “You children of snakes! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgement?

⁸ Let your lives, then, prove your repentance; and do not begin to say amongst yourselves ‘Abraham is our ancestor,’ for I tell you that out of these stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham!

⁹ Already, indeed, the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ “What are we to do then?” the people asked.

¹¹ “Let anyone who has two coats,” answered John, “share with the person who has none; and anyone who has food do the same.”

¹² Even tax-gatherers came to be baptised, and said to John, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

¹³ “Do not collect more than you have authority to demand,” John answered.

¹⁴ And when some soldiers on active service asked “And we — what are we to do?” he said, “Never use violence, or exact anything by false accusation; and be content with your pay.”

¹⁵ Then, while the people were in suspense, and were all debating with themselves whether John could be the Christ,

¹⁶ John, addressing them all, said, “I, indeed, baptise you with water; but there is coming one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to unfasten his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing-fan is in his hand so that he may clear his threshing-floor, and store the grain in his barn, but the chaff he will burn with a fire that cannot be put out.”

¹⁸ And so with many different appeals John told his good news to the people.

¹⁹ But Prince Herod, being rebuked by John respecting Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother, and for all the evil things that he had done,

²⁰ crowned them all by shutting John up in prison.

²¹ Now after the baptism of all the people, and when Jesus had been baptised and was still praying, the heavens opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove, and from the heavens came a voice — “You are my dearly loved son; you bring me great joy.”

²³ When beginning his work, Jesus was about thirty years old. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, whose ancestors were — Eli,

²⁴ Mattith, Levi, Melchiah, Janna, Joseph,

²⁵ Mattithiah, Amos, Nahum, Azaliah, Nogah,

⁴ This was in fulfillment of what is said in the writings of the prophet Isaiah — ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: “Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every chasm will be filled, Every mountain and hill will be leveled, The winding ways will be straightened, The rough roads made smooth,

⁶ and everyone will see the salvation of God.”’

⁷ And John said to the crowds that went to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgment?

⁸ Let your lives, then, prove your repentance; and do not begin to say among yourselves ‘Abraham is our ancestor,’ for I tell you that out of these stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham!

⁹ Already, indeed, the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ “What are we to do then?” the people asked.

¹¹ “Let anyone who has two coats,” answered John, “share with the person who has none; and anyone who has food do the same.”

¹² Even tax-gatherers came to be baptized, and said to John, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

¹³ “Do not collect more than you have authority to demand,” John answered.

¹⁴ And when some soldiers on active service asked “And we — what are we to do?” he said, “Never use violence, or exact anything by false accusation; and be content with your pay.”

¹⁵ Then, while the people were in suspense, and were all debating with themselves whether John could be the Christ,

¹⁶ John, addressing them all, said, “I, indeed, baptize you with water; but there is coming one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to unfasten his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing-fan is in his hand so that he may clear his threshing-floor, and store the grain in his barn, but the chaff he will burn with a fire that cannot be put out.”

¹⁸ And so with many different appeals John told his good news to the people.

¹⁹ But Prince Herod, being rebuked by John respecting Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother, and for all the evil things that he had done,

²⁰ crowned them all by shutting John up in prison.

²¹ Now after the baptism of all the people, and when Jesus had been baptized and was still praying, the heavens opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove, and from the heavens came a voice — “You are my dearly loved son; you bring me great joy.”

²³ When beginning his work, Jesus was about thirty years old. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, whose ancestors were — Eli,

²⁴ Mattith, Levi, Melchiah, Janna, Joseph,

²⁵ Mattithiah, Amos, Nahum, Azaliah, Nogah,

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah Salvation of Yah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of MarYah Master Yahweh. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ Then all humanity will see God’s method of deliverance.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of teshuvah ·complete repentance·, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham Father of a multitude Avinu ·our Father·;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham Father of a multitude from these stones!

⁹ Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John Yah is gracious, whether perhaps he was the Messiah Anointed one,

¹⁶ John Yah is gracious answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in Ruach haKodesh Spirit of the Holiness and fire,

¹⁷ whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod Heroic the tetrarch (one of four co-emperors), being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod Heroic had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John Yah is gracious in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, Yeshua Salvation also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and Ruach haKodesh Spirit of the Holiness descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my agapetos ·beloved, esteemed· Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Yeshua Salvation himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph May he add, the son of Heli,

²⁴ the son of Matthat, the son of Levi United with, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph May he add,

²⁵ the son of Mattathias Gift of Yah, the son of Amos Burden bearor, the son of Nahum Comforter, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

⁴ at it is written in the boke of the sayinges of Esaias the Prophet which sayeth: The voyce of a cryar in wyldernes prepare the waye of the Lorde make hys pathes strayght.

⁵ Every valley shalbe fylled and every moutayne and hyll shalbe brought lowe. And crocked thinges shalbe made streight: and the rough wayes shalbe made smoth:

⁶ and all flesshe shall se the saveour sent of God.

⁷ Then sayde he to the people that were come to be baptysed of him: O generacion of vipers who hath taught you to flye from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bringe forth due frutes of repentaunce and begynne not to saye in youre selves we have Abraham to oure father. For I saye vnto you: God is able of these stones to reyse vp chyldren vnto Abraham.

⁹ Now also ys the axe leyd vnto the rote of the trees: so that every tree which bringeth not forth good frute shalbe hewe doune and caste in to the fyre.

¹⁰ And the people axed him sayinge: What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answered and sayde vnto them: He that hath two coottes let him parte with him that hath none: and he that hath meate let him do lykewyse.

¹² Then came ther Publicans to be baptised and sayde vnto him: Master what shall we do?

¹³ And he sayde vnto the: requyre no more then that which ys appoynted vnto you.

¹⁴ The soudyoures lyke wyse demaunded of hym sayinge: and what shall we do? And he sayde to them: Do violence to noo man: nether trouble eny man wrongfully: but be content with youre wages.

¹⁵ As the people were in a doute and all men disputed in their hertes of Iohn whether he were very Christ:

¹⁶ Ihon answered and sayde to them all: I baptyse you with water but a stronger then I cometh after me whose shue latchet I am not worthy to vnlouse: he will baptise you with the holy goost and with fyre:

¹⁷ which hath his fanne in his hond and will pourge his floore and will gader the corne into his barne: but the chaffe wyll he bourne with fyre that never shalbe quenched.

¹⁸ And many other thinges in his exhortacion preached he vnto the people.

¹⁹ Then Herode the Tetrach (when he was rebuked of him for Herodias his brother Philippes wyfe and for all the evyls which Herod had done)

²⁰ added this above all and leyd Iohn in preson.

²¹ And that fortuned as all the people receaved baptyme (and when Iesus was baptised and dyd praye) that heaven was opened

²² and the holy goost came doune in a bodely shape lyke a dove vpo him and a voyce came from heven sayinge: Thou arte my dere sonne in the do I delyte.

²³ And Iesus him silfe was about thirty yere of age when he begane beinge as men supposed the sonne of Ioseph. which Ioseph was the sonne of Heli:

²⁴ which was the sonne of Mathat: which was the sonne of Levi: which was the sonne of Melchi: which was the sonne of Ianna: which was the sonne of Ioseph:

²⁵ which was the sonne of Matatthias: which was the sonne of Amos: which was the sonne of Nahum: which was the sonne of Esli: which was the sonne of Nagge:

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low, and the crooked roads will be made straight, and the uneven places will be built into roads,

⁶ and all flesh will see the salvation of God.'”

⁷ So John said to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to run away from the wrath that is coming?

⁸ Therefore, produce fruits that are worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

⁹ Even now the ax is set against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ Then the crowds kept asking him, saying, “What then are we to do?”

¹¹ He answered and said to them, “If someone has two tunics, he should share it with a person who has none, and the one having food should do the same.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Do not collect more money than you have been ordered to collect.”

¹⁴ Some soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, and do not accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ Now as the people were eagerly expecting the Christ to come, everyone was wondering in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ.

¹⁶ John answered by saying to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy even to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out.”

¹⁸ With many other exhortations also, John preached good news to the people.

¹⁹ When Herod the tetrarch had been reproved for marrying his brother's wife Herodias, and for all the other evil things that Herod had done,

²⁰ he added this to them all, that he locked John up in prison.

²¹ Now it came about, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he was praying, the heavens opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit in bodily form came down on him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you.”

²³ When Jesus began his ministry, he was about thirty years of age. He was the son (as it was assumed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptised by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say amongst yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptised, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁶ John answered them all, “I indeed baptise you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptise you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptised, Jesus also had been baptised and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

⁷ Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized by him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹ And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answereth and saith to them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath provisions, let him do likewise.

¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise asked him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages.

¹⁵ And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts concerning John, whether he was the Christ, or not;

¹⁶ John answered, saying to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

¹⁷ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things in his exhortation he preached to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

²⁰ Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

²³ And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, who was the son of Heli,

²⁴ Who was the son of Matthat, who was the son of Levi, who was the son of Melchi, who was the son of Janna, who was the son of Joseph,

²⁵ Who was the son of Mattathias, who was the son of Amos, who was the son of Naum, who was the son of Esli, who was the son of Nagge,

⁴ As it is written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be immersed by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be immersed, and they said to him, “Rabbi, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning Yochanan, whether perhaps he was the Messiah,

¹⁶ Yochanan answered them all, “I indeed immerse you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up Yochanan in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were immersed, Yeshua also had been immersed and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Yeshua himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Eli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

⁶ All flesh will see God’s salvation.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be immersed by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say amongst yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

⁹ Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Tax collectors also came to be immersed, and they said to him, “Rabbi, what must we do?”

¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning Yochanan, whether perhaps he was the Messiah,

¹⁶ Yochanan answered them all, “I indeed immerse you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

¹⁷ His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

¹⁹ but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

²⁰ added this also to them all, that he shut up Yochanan in prison.

²¹ Now when all the people were immersed, Yeshua also had been immersed and was praying. The sky was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

²³ Yeshua himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Eli,

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

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

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah, the prophet, The voice of a crier or The voice of one crying in desert, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make ye his paths right.

⁵ Each valley shall be full-filled, and every hill or mountain and little hill shall be made low; and shrewd things shall be into dressed things, and sharp things into plain ways;

⁶ and every flesh or each man shall see the health of God.

⁷ Therefore he said to the people, which went out to be baptized of him, Kindlings of adders, who showed to you to flee from the wrath to coming? or to come?

⁸ Therefore do ye worthy fruits of penance, and begin ye not to say, We have a father Abraham; for I say to you, that God is mighty to raise of these stones the sons of Abraham.

⁹ And now an ax is set or is put to the root of the tree; and therefore every tree that maketh not good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, and said, What then shall we do?

¹¹ He answered, and said to them, He that hath two coats, give he to him that hath none; and he that hath meats, do in like manner.

¹² And the publicans came to be baptized; and they said to him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said to them, Do ye nothing more, than that that is ordained to you.

¹⁴ And the knights asked him, and said, What shall also we do? And he said to them, Smite ye wrongfully no man, neither make ye false challenge, and be ye satisfied with your wages.

¹⁵ When all the people guessed, and all men thought in their hearts of John, lest peradventure he were Christ,

¹⁶ John answered, and said to all men, I baptize you in water; but a stronger than I shall come after me, of whom I am not worthy to unbind the lace or the thong of his shoes; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.

¹⁷ Whose winnowing tool, or fan, is in his hand, and he shall purge his floor of corn or his cornfloor, and shall gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he shall burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things also he spake, and preached or evangelized to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, when he was blamed of John for Herodias, the wife of his brother, and for all the evils that Herod did,

²⁰ he increased this over all, and shut John in prison.

²¹ And it was done, when all the people was baptized, and when Jesus was baptized, and prayed, heaven was opened.

²² And the Holy Ghost came down in bodily likeness, as a dove on him; and a voice was made from heaven, Thou art my dearworthy Son, in thee it hath well pleased to me.

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning as of thirty years, that he was guessed the son of Joseph, which was of Heli,

²⁴ which was of Matthat, which was of Levi, which was of Melchi, that was of Janna, that was of Joseph,

²⁵ that was of Mattathias, that was of Amos, that was of Nahum, that was of Esli, that was of Naggai,

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias, the prophet, (or As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah), The voice of a crier in (the) desert, or The voice of one crying in (the) desert, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make ye his paths right.

⁵ Each valley shall be full-filled, and every hill and little hill shall be made low; and shrewd things shall be into dressed things, and sharp things into plain ways; Each valley shall be filled, and each mountain and little hill shall be made low; and shrewd things shall be into dressed things, and sharp things into plain ways; (Every valley shall be filled full or filled in, and every mountain and little hill shall be made low; and depraved or crooked things shall be made into aligned or straight things, and rugged or rough ways into smooth or flat ways;)

⁶ and every flesh or each man shall see the health of God. (and everyone shall see God’s salvation or deliverance.)

⁷ Therefore he said to the people, which went out to be baptized of him, Kindlings of adders, who showed to you to flee from the wrath to coming? Therefore he said to the companies, that went out, (so) that they should be baptized of him, Fruits, or kindlings, of adders, who showed to you to flee from the wrath to come? (And so he said to the people, who went out to be baptized by him, Children of snakes, who showed to you to flee from the wrath to come?)

⁸ Therefore do ye worthy fruits of penance (or And so do ye worthy fruits of repentance), and begin ye not to say, We have a father Abraham; for I say to you, that God is mighty to raise (up out) of these stones the sons of Abraham.

⁹ And now an ax is set or is put to the root of the tree; and therefore every tree that maketh not good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, and said, What then shall we do? (And the people asked him, Then what should we do?)

¹¹ He answered, and said to them, He that hath two coats, give he to him that hath none; and he that hath meats (or and he who hath some food), do in like manner.

¹² And the publicans came to be baptized; and they said to him, Master, what shall we do? (And the tax-collectors came to be baptized; and they said to him, Teacher, what should we do?)

¹³ And he said to them, Do ye nothing more, than that that is ordained to you.

¹⁴ And the knights asked him, and said, What shall also we do? (or And the soldiers asked him, What should we do?) And he said to them, Smite ye wrongfully no man, neither make ye false challenge, and be ye satisfied with your wages.

¹⁵ When all the people guessed, and all men thought in their hearts of John, lest peradventure he were Christ (or that perhaps he was the Messiah),

¹⁶ John answered, and said to all men, I baptize you in water; but a stronger (One) than I shall come after me, of whom I am not worthy to unbind the lace or the thong of his shoes; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire (or he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire).

¹⁷ Whose winnowing tool, or fan, is in his hand, and he shall purge his floor of corn, or and he shall purge his cornfloor, (or and he shall purge his floor of grain, or his threshing floor), and shall gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he shall burn with fire unquenchable.

¹⁸ And many other things also he spake, and preached to the people. Forsooth and he stirring, or admonishing, many other things, evangelized to the people.

¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, when he was blamed of John for Herodias (or after he was rebuked by John for wedding Herodias), the wife of his brother, and for all the evils that Herod did,

²⁰ he increased this over all (or he added something even worse), and shut John in prison.

²¹ And it was done, when all the people was baptized, and when Jesus was baptized, and prayed, heaven was opened (or the heavens were opened).

²² And the Holy Ghost came down in bodily likeness, as a dove on him; and a voice was made from heaven, Thou art my dearworthy Son, in thee it hath well pleased to me. (And the Holy Spirit came down in bodily likeness, like a dove upon him; and a voice was made from heaven, Thou art my dearworthy Son, I am well pleased with thee.)

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning as of thirty years, that he was guessed the son of Joseph, which was of Heli,

²⁴ which was of Matthat, which was of Levi, which was of Melchi, that was of Janna, that was of Joseph,

²⁵ that was of Mattathias, that was of Amos, that was of Naum, that was of Esli, that was of Nagge,

⁴ As it is wrytun in the book of the wordis of Isaye, the prophete, The voice of a crier in desert, Make ye redi the weie of the Lord, make ye hise pathis riyt.

⁵ Ech valey schal be fulfillid, and euery hil and litil hil schal be maad lowe; and schrewid thingis schulen ben in to dressid thingis, and scharp thingis in to pleyn weies;

⁶ and euery fleisch schal se the heelthe of God.

⁷ Therfor he seid to the puple, which wente out to be baptisid of hym, Kyndlyngis of eddris, who schewide to you to fle fro the wraththe to comynge?

⁸ Therfor do ye worthi fruytis of penaunce, and bigynne ye not to seie, We han a fadir Abraham; for Y seie to you, that God is myyti to reise of these stoonys the sones of Abraham.

⁹ And now an axe is sett to the roote of the tree; and therfor euery tre that makith no good fruyt, schal be kit doun, and schal be cast in to the fier.

¹⁰ And the puple axide hym, and seiden, What thanne schulen we do?

¹¹ He answeride, and seide to hem, He that hath twei cootis, yyue to hym that hath noon; and he that hath metis, do in lijk maner.

¹² And pupplicans camen to be baptisid; and thei seiden to hym, Maister, what schulen we do?

¹³ And he seide to hem, Do ye no thing more, than that that is ordeyned to you.

¹⁴ And knyytis axiden hym, and seiden, What schulen also we do? And he seide to hem, Smyte ye wrongfuli no man, nethir make ye fals chalenge, and be ye apayed with youre sowdis.

¹⁵ Whanne al the puple gesside, and alle men thouyten in her hertis of Joon, lest perauenture he were Crist,

¹⁶ Joon answeride, and seide to alle men, Y baptize you in watir; but a stronger than Y schal come aftir me, of whom Y am not worthi to vnbynde the lace of his schoon; he schal baptize you in the Hooli Goost and fier.

¹⁷ Whos `wynewyng tool in his hond, and he schal purge his floor of corn, and schal gadere the whete in to his berne; but the chaffis he schal brenne with fier vnquenchable.

¹⁸ And many othere thingis also he spak, and prechide to the puple. But Eroude tetrark, whanne he was blamed of Joon for Erodias,

¹⁹ the wijf of his brother, and for alle the yuelis that Eroude dide,

²⁰ encreside this ouer alle, and schitte Joon in prisoun.

²¹ And it was don, whanne al the puple was baptised, and whanne Jhesu was baptised, and preiede, heuene was openyd.

²² And the Hooli Goost cam doun in bodili licnesse, as a dowue on hym; and a vois was maad fro heuene, Thou art my derworth sone, in thee it hath plesid to me.

²³ And Jhesu hym silf was bigynninge as of thritti yeer, that he was gessid the sone of Joseph, which was of Heli,

²⁴ which was of Mathath, which was of Leuy, which was of Melchi, that was of Jamne,

²⁵ that was of Joseph, that was of Matatie, that was of Amos, that was of Naum, that was of Hely, that was of Nagge,

⁴ as it hath been written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, 'A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye His paths;

⁵ every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straightness, and the rough become smooth ways;

⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'

⁷ Then said he to the multitudes coming forth to be baptised by him, 'Brood of vipers! who did prompt you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸ make, therefore, fruits worthy of the reformation, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have a father — Abraham; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham;

⁹ and already also the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree, therefore, not making good fruit is cut down, and to fire it is cast.'

¹⁰ And the multitudes were questioning him, saying, 'What, then, shall we do?'

¹¹ and he answering saith to them, 'He having two coats — let him impart to him having none, and he having victuals — in like manner let him do.'

¹² And there came also tax-gatherers to be baptised, and they said unto him, 'Teacher, what shall we do?'

¹³ and he said unto them, 'Exact no more than that directed you.'

¹⁴ And questioning him also were those warring, saying, 'And we, what shall we do?' and he said unto them, 'Do violence to no one, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'

¹⁵ And the people are looking forward, and all are reasoning in their hearts concerning John, whether or not he may be the Christ;

¹⁶ John answered, saying to all, 'I indeed with water do baptise you, but he cometh who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to loose the latchet of his sandals — he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;

¹⁷ whose winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather the wheat to his storehouse, and the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.'

¹⁸ And, therefore, indeed with many other things, exhorting, he was proclaiming good news to the people,

¹⁹ and Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, and concerning all the evils that Herod did,

²⁰ added also this to all, that he shut up John in the prison.

²¹ And it came to pass, in all the people being baptised, Jesus also being baptised, and praying, the heaven was opened,

²² and the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily appearance, as if a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, saying, 'Thou art My Son — the Beloved, in thee I did delight.'

²³ And Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, son of Joseph,

²⁴ the son of Eli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph,

²⁵ the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Naum, the son of Esli,