Luke 3:2-20 This was in the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests. The word of God was delivered to John the son of Zechariah. He was in the wilderness.

NSB⁽ⁱ⁾ ² This was in the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests. The word of God was delivered to John the son of Zechariah. He was in the wilderness. ³ John traveled in the region near the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ This was according to the words of Isaiah the prophet: »The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make ready the way of Jehovah. Make his paths straight. ⁵ »Every valley shall be filled. Every mountain and hill shall be brought low. The crooked shall become straight and the rough ways smooth. ⁶ »All flesh shall see the salvation of God.« (Isaiah 40:3-6) ⁷ He told the crowds that came to be baptized by him: »You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ »Produce fruit that is worthy of repentance. Do not say we have Abraham for our father. I tell you, that God is able to make these stones into children for Abraham. ⁹ »The axe is now at the root of the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in to the fire.« ¹⁰ The people asked him: »What must we do?« ¹¹ He answered: »He who has two coats let him give to him who has none. He who has food let him do likewise.« ¹² Tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him: »Teacher, what must we do?« ¹³ He told them: »Collect no more than that which is prescribed.« ¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him: »What must we do?« And he said: »Do not take money from any one by force. Never falsely accuse any one wrongfully and be content with your wages.« ¹⁵ Many people were expecting the Messiah. They reasoned in their hearts concerning John: »Perhaps he was the Messiah.« ¹⁶ John answered, saying to them: »I baptize you with water. He is coming who is mightier than I. I am not worthy to untie his shoelaces. He will baptize you in Holy Spirit and in fire. ¹⁷ »His winnowing fork is in his hand ready to thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.« ¹⁸ He preached good news to the people by offering many encouraging words. ¹⁹ John reproved Herod the tetrarch for all the evil things he had done for he took his brother Herodias’ wife. ²⁰ He added this also to them all. He locked up John in prison.