Armenian Bible, New Testament (Zohrab)

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

3 For this is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who says: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight." 4 And John himself had clothing made of camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, and they confessed their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Sadducees and Pharisees Two prominent religious and political groups within ancient Judaism with differing views on law and the afterlife. coming to his baptism, he said to them: "Brood of vipers! Who showed you how to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance; 9 and do not think to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 For behold, the axe is laid at the root of the trees; every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fan A tool used to separate grain from the lighter husks (chaff). is in his hand, and he will clean his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into his granary, but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire." 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent him, saying: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 Jesus answered and said to him: "Permit it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." And then he permitted him. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, he 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. 17 And behold, a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Chapter 3. (3) Missing in some manuscripts: "The prophet, who says: a voice." (3) Some versions: "The paths of the Lord." (4) Some: "Clothing of camel's hair." (6) Some: "And they were baptized by him." (6) Missing in many: "in the Jordan river, and." (7) According to Luke: "Who showed you." (8) Some: "Fruits worthy of repentance." (9) Some: "And do not think." (10) Some: "For behold, the axe... does not bear fruit." (11) Many: "He who comes after me." (12) Some: "his hand, and he will clean." (14) One copy: "He prevented him and said." (15) Many: "All righteousness, and." (17) Some: "Which said: This is."

This bottom section contains a "critical apparatus," which notes differences found in various ancient handwritten copies of the Armenian Bible.