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In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
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"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
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This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' "
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Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
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Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan,
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and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
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But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
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Do not presume to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.