John The Baptist Begins His Ministry

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when (A)Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and (B)Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,(a) while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,(A) Herod was tetrarch(b) of Galilee,(B) his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea(c) and Trachonitis,(d) and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,(e)

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Caesar Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

1 Now in the fifteenth year of [Emperor] (a)Tiberius Caesar’s reign—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod [Antipas] was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene—

2 in the high priesthood of (C)Annas and (D)Caiaphas, (E)the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

2 during the high priesthood of Annas(C) and Caiaphas,(D) God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.(E)

2 and Annas and Caiaphas high priests, a message from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

2 in the high (b)priesthood of Annas and (c)Caiaphas [his son-in-law], the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

3 And he came into all (F)the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

3 He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan,(F) preaching a baptism of repentance(f) for the forgiveness of sins,

3 John went throughout the entire Jordan region, proclaiming a baptism about repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

3 And he went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin;

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

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.

4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:Prepare the way for the Lord;make His paths straight!

4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!

4 as it is written and forever remains written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,Prepare the way of the Lord,(d)Make His paths straight.

5 (H)Every ravine will be filled,And every mountain and hill will be (a)brought low;The crooked will become straight,And the rough roads smooth;

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;

5 Every valley will be filled,and every mountain and hill will be made low;(g)the crooked will become straight,the rough ways smooth,

5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked ways will be made straight, and the rough roads will be made smooth.

5 Every ravine shall be filled up,And every mountain and hill shall be leveled;And the crooked [places] shall be made straight,And the rough roads smooth;

6 (I)And all (b)flesh will (J)see the salvation of God.’”

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

6 and everyone(h) will see the salvation of God.(G)(i)

6 Everyone will see the salvation that God has provided.'"

6 and (e)all mankind shall see the salvation of God.’”(A)

7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “(K)You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

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?

7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers!(H) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

7 John would say to the crowds that were coming out to be baptized by him, "You children of serpents! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

7 So he began saying to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of (f)vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath [of God that is] to come?

8 Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and (L)do not begin to say (c)to yourselves, ‘(M)We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

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.

8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’(I) for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

8 Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance! Don't begin to say to yourselves, "We have father Abraham!' because I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!

8 Therefore produce fruit that is worthy of [and consistent with your] repentance [that is, live changed lives, turn from sin and seek God and His righteousness]. And do not even begin to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [and so our heritage assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham [for God can replace the unrepentant, regardless of their heritage, with those who are obedient].(B)

9 Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so (N)every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

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.

9 Even now the ax is ready to strike(j) the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(J)

9 The ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire."

9 Even now the axe [of God’s judgment] is swinging toward the root of the trees; so every tree that does not produce good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “(O)Then what shall we do?”

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

10 “What then should we do?”(K) the crowds were asking him.

10 The crowds kept asking him, "What, then, should we do?"

10 The crowds asked him, “Then what are we to do?”

11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to (P)share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

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.

11 He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts(k) must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”(L)

11 He answered them, "The person who has two coats must share with the one who doesn't have any, and the person who has food must do the same."

11 And John replied, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do the same.”

12 And some (Q)tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

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

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”(M)

12 Even some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

12 Even some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

13 And he said to them, “(d)Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.”

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

13 He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.”

13 He told them, "Stop collecting more money than the amount you are told to collect."

13 And he told them, “Collect no more than the fixed amount you have been ordered to [collect].”

14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or (R)accuse anyone falsely, and (S)be content with your wages.”

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.

14 Some soldiers also questioned him: “What should we do?”He said to them, “Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages.”

14 Even some soldiers were asking him, "And what should we do?" He told them, "Never extort money from anyone by threats or blackmail, and be satisfied with your pay."

14 Some soldiers asked him, “And what about us, what are we to do?” And he replied to them, “Do not (g)extort money from anyone or harass or blackmail anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15 Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were (e)wondering in their hearts about John, (T)as to whether he was (f)the Christ,

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

15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were debating in their minds(l) whether John might be the Messiah.(N)

15 Now the people were filled with expectation, and all of them were wondering if John was perhaps the Messiah.

15 Now the people were in a state of expectation, and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

16 (U)John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you (g)with the Holy Spirit and fire.

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:

16 John answered them all,(O) “I baptize you with(m) water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with(n) the Holy Spirit and fire.

16 John replied to all of them, "I'm baptizing you with water, but one is coming who is more powerful than I, and I'm not worthy to untie his sandal straps. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

16 John answered them all by saying, “As for me, I baptize you [only] (h)with water; but One who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals [even as His slave]. He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with (i)fire.(C)

17 His (V)winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with (W)unquenchable 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.

17 His winnowing shovel(o)(P) is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with a fire that never goes out.”(Q)

17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor. He'll gather the grain into his barn, but he'll burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire."

17 His (j)winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom); but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.

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

18 Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people.

18 With many other exhortations John continued to proclaim the good news to the people.

18 So with many other appeals and various admonitions John preached the good news (gospel) to the people.

19 But when (X)Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of (Y)Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which (Z)Herod had done,

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,

19 But Herod the tetrarch,(R) being rebuked by him about Herodias, his brother’s wife, and about all the evil things Herod had done,(S)

19 Now Herod the tetrarch had been rebuked by John because he had married his brother's wife Herodias and because of all of the other evil things Herod had done.

19 But when Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch was repeatedly reprimanded [and convicted by John’s disapproval] for having (k)Herodias, his brother’s wife [as his own], and for all the wicked things that Herod had done,(D)

20 Herod also added this to them all: (AA)he locked John up in prison.

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

20 added this to everything else—he locked John up in prison.(T)

20 Added to all this, Herod locked John up in prison.

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

The Baptism Of Jesus

21 (AB)Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was (AC)praying, heaven was opened,

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

21 When all the people were baptized,(U) Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying,(V) heaven opened,

21 When all the people had been baptized, Jesus, too, was baptized. While he was praying, heaven opened,

21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, the [visible] heaven was opened,(E)

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

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.

22 and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:You are My beloved Son.I take delight in You!(W)

22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him, appearing in the form of a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you!"

22 and the (l)Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are My Son, My Beloved, in You I am well-pleased and delighted!”(F)

The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ

23 (AE)When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, (h)as was supposed, the son of (AF)Joseph, (i)the son of (j)Eli,

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,

23 As He began His ministry, Jesus was about 30 years old and was thought to be(p) theson of Joseph,(X) son(q) of Heli,

23 Jesus himself was about 30 years old when he began his ministry. He was (as legally calculated) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,

23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son [by marriage] of Eli,

The Ancestors Of Jesus

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

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,

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

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

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 (k)Hesli, the son of Naggai,

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,

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

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

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

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

26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,

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

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

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

27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, (AG)the son of Zerubbabel, the son of (l)Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,

27 son of Joanan,son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel,(Y)son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,

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

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

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

28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

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

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

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

29 the son of (m)Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

29 son of Joshua,son of Eliezer, son of Jorim,son of Matthat, son of Levi,

29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

30 the son of Simeon, the son of (n)Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,

30 son of Simeon, son of Judah,son of Joseph, son of Jonam,son of Eliakim,

30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

31 son of Melea,son of Menna, son of Mattatha,son of Nathan, son of David,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

32 (AH)the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of (o)Salmon, the son of (p)Nahshon,

32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

32 son of Jesse,(Z) son of Obed,son of Boaz, son of Salmon,(r)son of Nahshon,

32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of (q)Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,

33 son of Amminadab,son of Ram,(s) son of Hezron,son of Perez, son of Judah,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, (AI)the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac,son of Abraham,(AA) son of Terah,son of Nahor,

34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

35 the son of Serug, the son of (r)Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of (s)Heber, the son of Shelah,

35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

35 son of Serug,son of Reu, son of Peleg,son of Eber, son of Shelah,

35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,

35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah,

36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, (AJ)the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad,son of Shem, son of Noah,(AB)son of Lamech,

36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

37 son of Methuselah,son of Enoch, son of Jared,son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

38 son of Enos, son of Seth,son of Adam, son of God.

38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.(G)

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