2 In the time of the chief priests Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

3 And he went through all the country round about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, who says, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight;

5 Let every valley be filled, and every mountain and hill be made low, and the crookedness straightened, and the rough paths made smooth.

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7 And John said to the people who came to be baptized by him, 'Offspring of vipers! Who inspired you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore worthy fruits of repentance, and think not within yourselves, 'Our father is Abraham,' for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

9 Already the axe is laid at the root of the trees: every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

10 And the people asked him, 'What shall we do?'

11 Он сказал им в ответ: у кого две одежды, тот дай неимущему, и у кого есть пища, делай то же.

12 Пришли и мытари креститься, и сказали ему: учитель! что нам делать?

13 Он отвечал им: ничего не требуйте более определенного вам.

14 Спрашивали его также и воины: а нам что делать? И сказал им: никого не обижайте, не клевещите, и довольствуйтесь своим жалованьем.

15 Когда же народ был в ожидании, и все помышляли в сердцах своих об Иоанне, не Христос ли он, —