In those days came A67John the Baptist (Yochanan haMatvil), preaching in the wilderness of Judah (Yehudah),
2 And saying, “Repent you, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet A51Isaiah (Yeshayahu), saying, B49“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare you the way of יהוה (YHWH), make His paths straight.’” – Isa.40:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4
4 And the same John (Yochanan) had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), and all Judah (Yehudah), and all the region round about Jordan (Yarden),
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan (Yarden), confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the B50Pharisees and B51Sadducees come to his B52baptism, he said unto them, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance;
9 And think not to say within yourselves, ‘We have Avraham to our father;’ for I say unto you, that B1aGod (Elohim) is able of these stones to raise up children unto Avraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Ruach haQodesh), and with fire;
12 Whose winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh YHWH from Galilee to Jordan (Yarden) unto John (Yochanan), to be baptized of him.
14 But John (Yochanan) forbad Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized of you, and comest You to me?”
15 And YHWH answering said unto him, “Let it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he let Him.
16 And YHWH, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, behold, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him.
17 And behold B53a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved B47Humanity in whom I am well pleased.”