3
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
5
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
7
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
9
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”