Luke 3:2–18 · BSB
3:2
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
3:3
He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
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3:4
as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.
3:5
Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth.
3:6
And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”
3:7
Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
3:9
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
3:10
The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
3:12
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
3:13
“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered.
3:14
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”
3:15
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.
3:16
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
3:17
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
3:18
With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people.
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain. Sermons may quote another translation.