Luke 3:2-18

2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

3He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!

5Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; the crooked will become straight, the rough ways smooth,

6and everyone will see the salvation of God.

7He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

9The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10“What then should we do?” the crowds were asking him.

11He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”

12Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.”

14Some soldiers also questioned him, “What should we do?” He said to them, “Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.

16John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

17His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”

18Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people.