Luke 3:3-14 He went into the whole region around the Jordan River proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance i.e., determining to change their hearts and lives would receive the forgiveness of sins from God.

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ³ He went into the whole region around the Jordan River proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance [i.e., determining to change their hearts and lives] would receive the forgiveness of sins [from God]. ⁴ This was according to what is written in the book containing the words of Isaiah, the prophet [Isa. 40:3ff], “The voice of a man who speaks out in the desert [urging people] to make the road for the Lord ready [for Him to travel]; to make a straight pathway for Him [to walk on]. ⁵ Every valley will be filled up and every mountain and hill will be leveled. And crooked [roads] will become straight and rough ones smoothed out. ⁶ And all mankind will see the salvation of God [i.e., become available to them].” ⁷ He said to the crowds of people that went out [to the desert] to be immersed by him, “You children of snakes, who warned you to run away from the coming wrath [of God]? ⁸ Demonstrate by your lives that you have [really] repented, and quit saying to yourselves, ‘We claim Abraham as our forefather,’ because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham’s children out of these stones. ⁹ And even now the axe is also ready to chop down the trees at their roots [i.e., you Jews]. Every tree [i.e., person] that does not produce wholesome fruit [i.e., a godly life] will be cut down and thrown into the fire [i.e., the punishment of hell].” ¹⁰ Then the crowds asked him, “What then must we do [i.e., to demonstrate our repentance]?” ¹¹ And he answered them, “The person who has two coats should give [one of them] to the person who does not have any; and the person who has food should do the same thing.” ¹² Then some tax collectors came to him to be immersed and asked him, “Teacher, what must we do [i.e., to demonstrate our repentance]?” ¹³ And he answered them, “Do not collect any more [tax money] than you are required to.” ¹⁴ Some soldiers on duty also asked him, “And what must we do [i.e., to demonstrate our repentance]?” And he answered them, “Do not force people to give you money or accuse them falsely, and be content with your pay.”