Matthew:3:1-12

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* In those days John the Baptist arrived preaching in the wilderness of Judea , * and saying , "Repent , for the kingdom of heaven is at hand !" * For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah , saying : "A voice of one crying in the wilderness : 'Prepare the way of the LORD ; make His paths straight .' " * And John himself had his clothing [made ] from camel 's hair , with a leather belt around his waist ; and his food was locusts and wild honey . * Then Jerusalem , and all Judea , and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him * and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan , confessing their sins . * But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism , he said to them , "Brood of vipers ! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath ? * Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance , * and do not think to say among yourselves , 'We have Abraham as our father .' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones . * But even now , the ax is laid to the root of the trees . Therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire . * I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance , but He who is coming after me is mightier than I , whose sandals I am not worthy to carry . He will baptize you with [the ] Holy Spirit , * whose winnowing shovel is in His hand , and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor , and He will gather His wheat into the barn ; but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire ."

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