1. For fifteen years Emperor Tiberius had ruled that part of the world. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was the ruler of Galilee. Herod's brother, Philip, was the ruler in the countries of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was the ruler of Abilene.
2. Annas and Caiaphas were the Jewish high priests.At that time God spoke to Zechariah's son John, who was living in the desert.
3. So John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”
4. Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said,“In the desertsomeone is shouting,‘Get the road readyfor the Lord!Make a straight pathfor him.
5. Fill up every valleyand level every mountainand hill.Straighten the crooked pathsand smooth outthe rough roads.
6. Then everyone will seethe saving power of God.’ ”
7. Crowds of people came out to be baptized, but John said to them, “You snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgment?
8. Do something to show that you really have given up your sins. Don't start saying that you belong to Abraham's family. God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.
9. An axe is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.”
10. The crowds asked John, “What should we do?”
11. John told them, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.”
12. When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?”