Matthew:3:1-12

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* In those days appeared John the Immerser , who proclaimed in the wilderness of Judea , saying , * Reform , for the Reign of Heaven approaches . * «For this is he , of whom the Prophet Isaiah speaks in these words ,» 'The voice of one proclaiming in the wilderness , Prepare a way for the Lord , make for him a straight passage .' * Now John wore raiment of camel 's hair with a letter girdle about his waist ; and his food was locusts and wild honey . * Then Jerusalem , and all Judea , and all the country along the Jordan , resorted to him , * and were immersed by him in the Jordan , confessing their sins . * But he seeing many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to receive immersion , said to them , Offspring of vipers , who has prompted you to flee from the impending vengeance ? * Produce , then , the proper fruit of reformation ; * and presume not to say within yourselves , We have Abraham for our father , for I assure you , that of these stones God can raise children to Abraham . * And even now the ax lies at the root of the trees ; every tree , therefore , which produces not good fruit , is cut down , and turned into fuel . * I , indeed , immerse you in water , into reformation ; but he who comes after me , is mightier than I , whose shoes I am not worthy to carry . He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit , and in fire . * His winnowing shovel is in his hand , and he will thoroughly cleanse his grain ; he will gather his wheat into the granary , and consume the chaff in unquenchable fire .

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