^{15 Ref} As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

^{16 Ref} John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

^{17 Ref} whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

^{18 Ref} Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,