Luke 3:1-7

1 In the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius' rule; when Pontius Pilate was governor of Y'hudah, Herod ruler of the Galil, his brother Philip ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene,

2 with `Anan and Kayafa being the cohanim g'dolim; the word of God came to Yochanan Ben-Z'kharyah in the desert.

3 He went all through the Yarden region proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven.

4 It was just as had been written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Yesha`yahu, "The voice of someone crying out: `In the desert prepare the way for ADONAI! Make straight paths for him!

5 Every valley must be filled in, every mountain and hill leveled off; the winding roads must be straightened and the rough ways made smooth.

6 Then all humanity will see God's deliverance.'"

7 Therefore, Yochanan said to the crowds who came out to be immersed by him, "You snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming punishment?