1²⁸In those days, John [Yah is gracious] the Immerser came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea [Praise], saying ,

2“ Teshuvah ·Turn repent·, for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is at hand!”

3For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah [Salvation of Yah] the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of MarYah [Master Yahweh].
Make his paths ²⁹straight.”

4Now John [Yah is gracious] himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

5Then people from Jerusalem [City of peace], all of Judea [Praise], and all the region around the Jordan [Descender] went out to him.

6They were immersed by him in the Jordan [Descender], confessing their abstract sins ·miss the marks·.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees [Separated] and Sadducees [Morally-upright] coming for his mikvah ·ritual washing baptism·, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Therefore produce fruit worthy of teshuvah ·complete repentance·!

9Don’t think to 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.

10“Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

11I indeed mikvah ·mikvah ·baptise· you in water for teshuvah ·complete repentance·, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will mikvah ·baptise· you in Ruach haKodesh [Spirit, Breath of the Holiness].

12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

13Then Yeshua [Salvation] came from Galilee [District, Circuit] to the Jordan [Descender] to John [Yah is gracious], to be immersed by him.

14But John [Yah is gracious] would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be immersed by you, and you come to me?”

15But Yeshua [Salvation], answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

16³⁰³¹³²Yeshua [Salvation], when he was immersed, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. ³³He saw haRuach [the Spirit, Breath] of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.

17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my agapetos ·beloved, esteemed· Son, with whom I am well pleased.”