2 Annas and Cai´aphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zechari´ah in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying,The voice of one crying in the wilderness,Prepare ye the way of the Lord,make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;and the crooked shall be made straight,and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.