THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW

THE NEW TESTAMENT
TRANSLATED FROM
THE SYRIAC PESHITO VERSION BY JAMES MURDOCK

Chapter 3

(Mat 3:1) And in those days came John the Baptizer. And he proclaimed in the desert of Judaea,

(Mat 3:2) and said: Repent; the kingdom of heaven hath approached.

(Mat 3:3) For this is he of whom it was said, by Isaiah the prophet: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make smooth his paths.

(Mat 3:4) And as to this John, his raiment was of camel's hair, and a girdle of skin was upon his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

(Mat 3:5) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan.

(Mat 3:6) And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, while they confessed their sins.

(Mat 3:7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, who came to be baptized, he said to them: Generation of vipers, who hath taught you to flee from the wrath that cometh?

(Mat 3:8) Bring forth the fruits therefore, that accord with repentance.

(Mat 3:9) And do not think, and say within yourselves, that Abraham is our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these tones to raise up children to Abraham.

(Mat 3:10) And lo, the ax is put to the root of trees. Every tree, therefore, which beareth not good fruit, is felled, and falleth into the fire.

(Mat 3:11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is more powerful than I; whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

(Mat 3:12) His winnowing shovel is in his hand; and he will make clean his threshing-floor. The wheat he will gather into his storehouse; and the chaff he will burn with fire not extinguished.

(Mat 3:13) Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized by him.

(Mat 3:14) But John refused him; and said, I need to be baptized by thee, and hast thou come to me?

(Mat 3:15) And Jesus answered, and said to him: Allow it now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he permitted him.

(Mat 3:16) And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. And heaven was opened to him; and he saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and it came upon him.

(Mat 3:17) And lo, a voice from heaven, which said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I have delight.