1 By now Tiberias had been Caesar for fifteen years. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. Herod was ruler3:1. Literally, "tetrarch." Also the other instances where ruler is used in this verse. of Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanius was ruler of Abiline. 2 Annas and Caiphas were the current high priests. This was the time when the word of God came to John, Zechariah’s son, who was living in the desert. 3 He went throughout the whole Jordan region, announcing to everyone that they needed to be baptized to show they had repented and their sins had been forgiven. 4 As Isaiah the prophet wrote: "A voice was heard crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord: make his paths straight. 5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. Crooked ways will be straightened, and rough roads will be smoothed. 6 Every human being will see God’s salvation.’"3:6. Quoting Isaiah 40:3-5.
7 John addressed the crowds that came to him to be baptized. "You viper’s brood! Who warned you to flee from the coming judgment?" he asked. 8 "Demonstrate that you have truly repented.3:8. Literally, "Produce worthy fruits of repentance." Don’t try to justify yourselves by saying, ‘We’re Abraham’s descendants.’ Let me tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these stones. 9 The ax is set to begin chopping at the base of the trees. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire."
10 "So what should we do?" the crowds asked him.
11 "If you have two coats, then share with someone who doesn’t have one. If you have food, then share with those who don’t," he told them.
12 Some tax collectors came to be baptized. "Teacher, what should we do?" they also asked.
13 "Don’t collect any more tax than you’re meant to," he replied.
14 "What about us?" some soldiers asked. "What should we do?"
"Don’t demand money with threats of violence. Don’t make accusations that are untrue. Be satisfied with your wages," he replied.
15 The people were waiting expectantly, and wondered whether John himself might be the Messiah. 16 John replied and explained to everybody: "Yes, I am baptizing you in water. But the one who is coming is more important than me, and I’m not worthy to undo his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand and he’s ready to separate the wheat from the chaff on his threshing floor. He’ll gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that can’t be extinguished."
18 John gave many warnings like this as he announced the good news to the people.