3 So John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”
4 Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said,“In the desertsomeone is shouting,‘Get the road readyfor the Lord!Make a straight pathfor him.
5 Fill up every valleyand level every mountainand hill.Straighten the crooked pathsand smooth outthe rough roads.
6 Then everyone will seethe saving power of God.’ ”
7 Crowds of people came out to be baptized, but John said to them, “You snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgment?
8 Do something to show that you really have given up your sins. Don't start saying that you belong to Abraham's family. God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.
9 An axe is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.”