Luke 3:2-20

Thomson^{(i) 2} in the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, a word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness, ³ and he went into all the country along the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of reformation for a forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, "A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord: make the roads for him straight. ⁵ Let every valley be filled up; and every mountain and hill levelled; and let the crooked be made a straight road, and the rough ways, smooth. ⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." ⁷ Therefore to the multitudes who came out to be baptized by him, he said, Offspring of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the impending wrath? ⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of this reformation: and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ Now, indeed, the axe is at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore which doth not produce good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire. ¹⁰ And when the people asked him, saying, What then shall we do? ¹¹ He in reply, said to them, Let him who hath two coats impart to him who hath none: and let him who hath provisions, do the same. ¹² And when publicans came to be baptized, and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do? ¹³ He said to them, Exact no more than what is enjoined you. ¹⁴ And when soldiers asked him, saying, And what shall we do? He said to them, Injure no man, either by violence or false accusation, and be content with your wages. ¹⁵ And as the people were in suspense, and all were reasoning in their minds concerning John, That he perhaps might be The Christ, ¹⁶ John addressed them all, saying, I, indeed, baptize you in water; but there is one coming; who is mightier than I; the latchet of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you in a holy spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing instrument is in his hand; and he will thoroughly clean his threshing floor, and gather together the wheat for his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. ¹⁸ Thus, with many other exhortations, he published the glad tidings to the people. ¹⁹ But Herod, the tetrarch, being reproved by him, for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the crimes which he had committed, ²⁰ added this to them all, that he shut up John in prison.