2 fAnnas and gCaiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto hJohn ithe son of Zacharias jin the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance kfor the remission of sins; 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, lThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 mAnd all flesh shall see mmthe salvation of God. 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits ||worthy of repentance, and nbegin not to say within yourselves, We have nnAbraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10 And the people asked him, saying, oWhat shall we do then? 11 He answereth and saith unto them, pHe that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also qpublicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, owhat shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, rExact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, oAnd what shall we do? And he said unto them, ||Do violence to no man, neither saccuse any falsely; and be content with your ||twages.

15 And as the people were ||in expectation, and all men ||mused in their hearts of John, uwhether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the xlatchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his ygarner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.