1
About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea.
2
"Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand."
3
He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying aloud, `In the desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'"
4
This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey.
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Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley--
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and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.
7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart;