Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing,
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In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
2 "Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!"
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"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
3 He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight."
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This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' "
4 John wore clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
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Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 People from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and all around the Jordan River came to him.
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Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan,
6 As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
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and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John. He said to them, "You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon?
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But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives.
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Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
9 And don't even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham's children from these stones.
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Do not presume to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.
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Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I'm not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can't be put out."
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His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.