Matthew:3:1-12

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* In those days John the Baptist came 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 : "The voice of one crying in the wilderness : "Prepare the way of the LORD ; Make His paths straight ."' * Now John himself was clothed in camel 's hair , with a leather belt around his waist ; and his food was locusts and wild honey . * Then Jerusalem , all Judea , and all the region around the Jordan went out to him * and were baptized by him in the Jordan , confessing their sins . * But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism , he said to them , "Brood of vipers ! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? * Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance , * and do not think to say to yourselves , "We have Abraham as our father .' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones . * And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees . Therefore every tree which does not bear 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 and fire . * His winnowing fan is in His hand , and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor , and gather His wheat into the barn ; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire ."

---