Luke 3:4-14

⁴This was in fulfillment of what is said in the writings of the prophet Isaiah — ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: “Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

⁵Every chasm will be filled, Every mountain and hill will be leveled, The winding ways will be straightened, The rough roads made smooth,

⁶and everyone will see the salvation of God.”’

⁷And John said to the crowds that went to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgment?

⁸Let your lives, then, prove your repentance; and do not begin to say among yourselves ‘Abraham is our ancestor,’ for I tell you that out of these stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham!

⁹Already, indeed, the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰“What are we to do then?” the people asked.

¹¹“Let anyone who has two coats,” answered John, “share with the person who has none; and anyone who has food do the same.”

¹²Even tax-gatherers came to be baptized, and said to John, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

¹³“Do not collect more than you have authority to demand,” John answered.

¹⁴And when some soldiers on active service asked “And we — what are we to do?” he said, “Never use violence, or exact anything by false accusation; and be content with your pay.”