Luke 3:4-18

⁴as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!

⁵Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth;

⁶and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

⁷He said therefore to the multitudes that came forth to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

⁸Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

⁹And already also is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?

¹¹He answered and said to them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

¹²And there came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Teacher, what must we do?

¹³And he said to them, Exact no more than hath been ordered you.

¹⁴And soldiers also asked him, saying, And what must we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no one, accuse no one falsely, and be content with your wages.

¹⁵And while the people were in expectation, and all were considering in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the Christ,

¹⁶John answered and said to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.

¹⁷His winnowing-shovel is in his hand to thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

¹⁸And giving many other exhortations he published the glad tidings to the people.