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Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was,
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"Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near."
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Isaiah the prophet spoke about this man when he said, "A voice cries out in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"
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John wore clothes made from camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.
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Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.
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As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
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But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, "You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God's coming anger?
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Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.
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Don't think you can say, 'Abraham is our ancestor.' I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
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The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.
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I baptize you with water so that you will change the way you think and act. But the one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into a barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out."