^{3 Ref} And he came into all the country round about Jordan, preaching baptism as a sign of forgiveness of sin for those whose hearts were changed.

^{4 Ref} As it says in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his roads straight.

^{5 Ref} Every valley will be lifted up, and all the mountains and hills made low, and the twisted will be made straight, and the rough ways smooth;

^{6 Ref} And all flesh will see the salvation of God.

^{7 Ref} So he said to the people who went out to him for baptism: You offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?

^{8 Ref} Make clear by your acts that your hearts have been changed; and do not say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children of Abraham.

^{9 Ref} And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; and every tree which does not have good fruit will be cut down and put into the fire.