and every mountain and hill brought low;
the crooked places shall be made straight
and the rough ways smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by
him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to
say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that
God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And
even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10
And the multitudes asked him, "What then shall we do?" 11 And he
answered them, "He who has two tunics, let him share with him who has
none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." 12 Tax collectors also
came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" 13
And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you." 14
Likewise the soldiers asked him, "And what shall we do?" So he said to
them, "Rob no one by violence or accuse falsely, and be content with
your wages."
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in
their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, 16
John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but one mightier
than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His
winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to
gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with
unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other exhortations he preached
good news to the people.
21 And when all the people were being baptized, Jesus was also
baptized. And as he was praying, the heaven was opened 22 and the Holy