第三章
1 那時，有施洗的約翰出來，在猶太的曠野傳道，說：
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea
2 「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」
2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
3 這人就是先知以賽亞所說的。他說：「在曠野有人聲喊凓說：預備主的道，修直他的路！」
3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
※賽 40:3有人聲喊凓說：在曠野預備耶和華的路〔或譯：在曠野，有人聲喊凓說：當預備耶和華的路〕，在沙漠地修平我們 神的道。
4 這約翰身穿駱駝毛的衣服，腰束皮帶，吃的是蝗蟲、野蜜。
4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 那時，耶路撒冷和猶太全地，並約旦河一帶地方的人，都出去到約翰那裏，
5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
6 承認他們的罪，在約旦河裏受他的洗。
6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 約翰看見許多法利賽利人和撒都該人也來受洗，就對他們說：「毒蛇的種類！誰指示你們逃避將來的忿怒呢？
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 你們要結出果子來，與悔改的心相稱。
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
9 不要自己心裏說：『有亞伯拉罕為我們的袓宗。』我告訴你們， 神能從這些石頭中給亞伯拉罕興起子孫來。
9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
10 現在斧子已經放在樹根上，凡不結好果子的樹就砍下來，丟在火裏。
10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 我是用水給你們施洗，叫你們悔改。但那在我以後來的，能力比我更大，我就是給他提鞋也不配。他要用聖靈與火給你們施洗。
11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12 他手裏拿凓簸箕，要揚淨他的場，把麥子收在倉裏，把糠用不滅的火燒盡了。」
12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
13 當下耶穌從加利利來到約旦河，見了約翰，要受他的洗。
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 約翰想要攔住他，說：「我當受你的洗，你反倒上我這裏來嗎？」
14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 耶穌回答說：「你暫且許我，因為我們理當這樣盡諸般的義〔或譯：禮〕。」於是約翰許了他。
15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16 耶穌受了洗，隨即從水裏上來。天忽然為他開了，他就看見 神的靈彷彿鴿子降下，落在他身上。
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
17 從天上有聲音說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。」
17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."