Matthew 3:4-11

4John wore clothes made from camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.

5Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.

6As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

7But 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?

8Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.

9Don’t think you can say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.

10The 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.

11I 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.