Luke 3:2-16

2During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came upon John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

3And he came into all the surrounding region of the Jordan, proclaiming an immersion of repentance for the removal of sins.

4As it is written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of Adonai, and make His paths straight.

5Every valley shall be filled up and every mountain and hill brought low. The crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways made smooth,

6and all humanity shall see the salvation of God.’”

7Therefore John was saying to the crowds that came out to be immersed by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance; and don’t even begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’! For I tell you that from these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

9Even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees, so every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire!”

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

11He answered them, saying, “Whoever has two coats, let him give to the one who has none; and whoever has food, let him do the same.”

12Tax collectors also came to him to be immersed. “Teacher,” they said to him, “what should we do?”

13He said to them, “Do not take more than you are supposed to.”

14Also soldiers asked him, saying, “And what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not take things from anyone by force, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be content with your wages.”

15Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were wondering in their hearts about John, whether he might be the Messiah.

16John answered them all, saying, “As for me, I immerse you with water. But One is coming who is mightier than I am; I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals! He will immerse you in the Ruach ha-Kodesh and fire.