2
in the Kohanim Gedolim of Anan and Kayafa, the word of God came to Yochanan, the son of Zekharyah, in the wilderness.
3
He came into all the region around the Yarden, preaching the immersion of repentance to remission of sins.
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As it is written in the book of the words of Yesha`yahu the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
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Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, And the rough ways smooth.
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All flesh will see God's salvation.'"
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He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be immersed by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don't begin to say among yourselves, 'We have Avraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Avraham from these stones!
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Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."
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The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"
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He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."
12
Tax collectors also came to be immersed, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"