2 It was at the time when Annas and Caiaphas were chief priests that God spoke to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert.
3 John traveled throughout the region around the Jordan River. He told people about a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4 As the prophet Isaiah wrote in his book,“A voice cries out in the desert:‘Prepare the way for the Lord!Make his paths straight!
5 Every valley will be filled.Every mountain and hill will be leveled.The crooked ways will be made straight.The rough roads will be made smooth.
6 All people will see the salvation that God gives.’ ”
7 Crowds of people were coming to be baptized by John. He would say to them, “You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God’s coming anger?
8 Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.