8
"Thereforebearfruits in keeping with repentance, and 1do not begin to say to yourselves, '2We haveAbraham for our father,' for I say to you that from thesestonesGod is able to raise up children to Abraham.
9
"Indeed the axe is alreadylaid at the root of the trees; so3everytree that does not beargoodfruit is cutdown and thrown into the fire."
10
And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "4Thenwhat shall we do?"
11
And he would answer and say to them, "The man who hastwotunics is to 5share with him who hasnone; and he who hasfood is to dolikewise."
12
And some 6taxcollectorsalsocame to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
13
And he said to them, "Collectnomorethan what you have been ordered to."
14
Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not takemoney from anyone by force, or7accuse anyone falsely, and 8be content with your wages."
15
Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their heartsaboutJohn, 9as to whether he was the Christ,
16
10Johnanswered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the HolySpirit and fire.
17
"His 11winnowingfork is in His hand to thoroughlyclear His threshingfloor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with 12unquenchablefire."
18
So with manyotherexhortations he preached the gospel to the people.