13
He told them, "Don't collect more money than you are ordered to collect."
14
Some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He told them, "Be satisfied with your pay, and never use threats or blackmail to get money from anyone."
15
People's hopes were rising as they all wondered whether John was the Messiah.
16
John replied to all of them, "I baptize you with water. But the one who is more powerful than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
17
His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out."
18
With many other encouraging words, he told the Good News to the people.
19
John spoke out against the ruler Herod because Herod had married his own sister-in-law, Herodias. He also spoke out against Herod for all the evil things he had done.
20
So Herod added one more evil to all the others; he locked John in prison.
21
When all the people were baptized, Jesus, too, was baptized. While he was praying, heaven opened,
22
and the Holy Spirit came down to him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, "You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you."
23
Jesus was about 30 years old when he began [his ministry]. Jesus, so people thought, was the son of Joseph, son of Eli,