Luke 3:2-14

2It was at the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests that God spoke to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert.

3John traveled throughout the region around the Jordan River. He told people about a baptism of repentance  for the forgiveness of sins.

4As the prophet Isaiah wrote in his book, “A voice cries out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!

5Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked ways will be made straight. The rough roads will be made smooth.

6All people will see the salvation that God gives.’ ”

7Crowds of people were coming to be baptized by John. He would say to them, “You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God’s coming anger?

8Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.

9The 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.”

10The crowds asked him, “What should we do?”

11He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who doesn’t have any. Whoever has food should share it too.”

12Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13He told them, “Don’t collect more money than you are ordered to collect.”

14Some 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.”