2. during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
3. He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
4. as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:“A voice of one crying out in the desert:‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.
5. Every valley shall be filledand every mountain and hill shall be made low.The winding roads shall be made straight,and the rough ways made smooth,
6. and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
7. He said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8. Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
9. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10. And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
11. He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”
12. Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13. He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”