The Preparation

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ.

2 It is said in the prophet Isaiah –

“I am sending my messenger ahead of you;

he will prepare your way.

3 The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the road for the Lord,

make a straight path for him.’ ”

4 John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism on repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole of Judea, as well as all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, went out to him; and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6 John wore clothes made of camels’ hair, with a leather strap round his waist, and lived on locusts and wild honey; 7 and he proclaimed – ‘After me is coming someone more powerful than I am, and I am not fit even to stoop down and unfasten his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

9 Now about that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Spirit coming down to him like a dove, 11 and from the heavens came a voice – ‘You are my dearly loved son; you bring me great joy.’

12 Immediately afterwards the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness; 13 and he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and among the wild beasts, while the angels helped him.