Study Desk

So he was saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, "^(C1)You ^(F1)offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

"Therefore produce fruits that are consistent with repentance, and ^(C1)do not start saying ^(F1)to yourselves, '^(C2)We have Abraham as our father,' for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children for Abraham.

"But indeed the axe is already being laid at the root of the trees; so ^(C1)every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "^(C1)Then what are we to do?"

And he would answer and say to them, "The one who has two ^(F1)tunics is to ^(C1)share with the one who has none; and the one who has food is to do likewise."

Now even ^(C1)tax collectors came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what are we to do?"

And he said to them, "^(F1)Collect no more than what you have been ordered to."

And soldiers also were questioning him, saying, "What are we to do, we as well?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone, nor ^(F1)(C1)harass anyone, and ^(C2)be content with your wages."

Now while the people were in a state of expectation and they all were thinking carefully in their hearts about John, ^(C1)whether he himself perhaps was the ^(F1)Christ,

^(C1)John responded to them all, saying, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you ^(F1)with the Holy Spirit and fire.

"His ^(C1)winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with ^(C2)unquenchable fire."

So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.