^{1 Ref} And in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the waste land of Judaea,

^{2 Ref} Saying, Let your hearts be turned from sin; for the kingdom of heaven is near.

^{3 Ref} For this is he of whom Isaiah the prophet said, The voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his roads straight.

^{4 Ref} Now John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather band about him; and his food was locusts and honey.

^{5 Ref} Then Jerusalem and all Judaea went out to him, and all the people from near Jordan;

^{6 Ref} And they were given baptism by him in the river Jordan, saying openly that they had done wrong.

^{7 Ref} But when he saw a number of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?

^{8 Ref} Let your change of heart be seen in your works:

^{9 Ref} And say not to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; because I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children for Abraham.

^{10 Ref} And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; every tree then which does not give good fruit is cut down, and put into the fire.

^{11 Ref} Truly, I give baptism with water to those of you whose hearts are changed; but he who comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to take up: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire:

^{12 Ref} In whose hand is the instrument with which he will make clean his grain; he will put the good grain in his store, but the waste will be burned up in the fire which will never be put out.