^{2 Ref} Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests -- there came a word of God unto John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness,

^{3 Ref} and he came to all the region round the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of reformation -- to remission of sins,

^{4 Ref} as it hath been written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, `A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye His paths;

^{5 Ref} every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straightness, and the rough become smooth ways;

^{6 Ref} and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'

^{7 Ref} Then said he to the multitudes coming forth to be baptised by him, `Brood of vipers! who did prompt you to flee from the coming wrath?

^{8 Ref} make, therefore, fruits worthy of the reformation, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have a father -- Abraham; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham;

^{9 Ref} and already also the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree, therefore, not making good fruit is cut down, and to fire it is cast.'

^{10 Ref} And the multitudes were questioning him, saying, `What, then, shall we do?'

^{11 Ref} and he answering saith to them, `He having two coats -- let him impart to him having none, and he having victuals -- in like manner let him do.'

^{12 Ref} And there came also tax-gatherers to be baptised, and they said unto him, `Teacher, what shall we do?'

^{13 Ref} and he said unto them, `Exact no more than that directed you.'

^{14 Ref} And questioning him also were those warring, saying, `And we, what shall we do?' and he said unto them, `Do violence to no one, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'

^{15 Ref} And the people are looking forward, and all are reasoning in their hearts concerning John, whether or not he may be the Christ;

^{16 Ref} John answered, saying to all, `I indeed with water do baptise you, but he cometh who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to loose the latchet of his sandals -- he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;