2  in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came upon John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3  And he came into all the district round the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4  as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet: Voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 5  Every gorge shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked places shall become a straight path, and the rough places smooth ways, 6  and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 7  He said therefore to the crowds which went out to be baptised by him, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8  Produce therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9  And already also the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.