Modern Literal Version
[Matthew 3]

     {Mar 1:1-8 & Mat 3:1-12 & Luk 3:1-18. Judea near Jordan River 25 or 26 AD.}

     ^3:1 Now in those days John the Immerser^* comes^*, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ^3:2 and saying, Repent^*; for^* the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near. ^3:3 For^* this one is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, 'A voice is crying in the wilderness, prepare^* the way of the Lord, make^** his paths straight.' {Isa 40:3}^3:4 Now John himself had his outer clothing made from camel's hair and a leather belt around his loin, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey. ^3:5Then Jerusalem and everyone in Judea and everyone from the region around the Jordan were traveling out to him. ^3:6 And they were being immersed^* by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.^3:7 But after he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming upon his immersion^*, he said to them, Offsprings of vipers, who warned you^* to flee from the future wrath? ^3:8 Therefore produce^*fruit worthy of repentance. ^3:9 Do^* not think to say among yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for^* I say to you^*, that God is able to lift up children out of these stones for Abraham. ^3:10 But even already, the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which is not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

     ^3:11 I indeed immerse^* you^* in water toward repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightierthan I, whose shoes I am not sufficient to bear. He will immerse^* you^* in the Holy Spirit; ^3:12 whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will be thoroughly cleansing his threshing floor, and he will be gathering his grain into the barn, but the chaff he will be burning up with unquenchable fire.

     {Mar 1:9-11, Mat 3:13-17, Luk 3:21-22, Joh 1:29-34? Jordan east of Jericho, Spring 27 AD.}

     ^3:13 Then Jesus comes^* from Galilee to John, to be immersed^* by him in the Jordan. ^3:14 But John was preventing him, saying, I have need to be immersed^* by you and you are coming to me?

     ^3:15 But Jesus answered and said to him, Allow it now; for^* thus it is suitable for us to fulfill every righteousness. Then he allows him.

     ^3:16 And Jesus, after he was immersed^*, came-up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon him; ^3:17 and behold, a voice came out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am delighted.

Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1987, 1999, 2013 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
Would you like to have the Modern Literal Version the World's most accurate translation on your web site? Visit ' The Christian Library' for more info.