5
Then people from Yerushalayim, all of Yehudah, and all the region around the Yarden went out to him.
6
They were immersed by him in the Yarden, confessing their sins.
7
But when he saw many of the Perushim and Tzedukim coming for his immersion, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8
Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance!
9
Don't think to yourselves, 'We have Avraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Avraham from these stones.
10
"Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
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I indeed immerse you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He shall immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh.
12
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."
13
Then Yeshua came from the Galil to the Yarden to Yochanan, to be immersed by him.
14
But Yochanan would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be immersed by you, and you come to me?"
15
But Yeshua, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.