rsv Matthew:3:1-12 SEEK
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In those days came John the Baptist ,
preaching in the wilderness of Judea ,
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Repent ,
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ."
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For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said , "
The voice of one crying in the wilderness :
Prepare the way of the Lord ,
make his paths straight ."
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Now John wore a garment of camel '
s hair ,
and a leather girdle around his waist ;
and his food was locusts and wild honey .
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Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan ,
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and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan ,
confessing their sins .
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But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad '
ducees coming for baptism ,
he said to them , "
You brood of vipers !
Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ?
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Bear fruit that befits repentance ,
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and do not presume to say to yourselves , `
We have Abraham as our father ';
for I tell you ,
God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham .
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Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees ;
every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire .
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I baptize you with water for 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 with fire .
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His winnowing fork is in his hand ,
and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary ,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire ."