2. during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
3. He went into all the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one shouting in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.
5. Every valley will be filled,and every mountain and hill will be brought low, and the crooked will be made straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth,
6. and all humanity will see the salvation of God.’”
7. So John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8. Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don’t begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!
9. Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”