4. As it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet:“This is a voice of a manwho calls out in the desert:‘Prepare the way for the Lord.Make the road straight for him.
5. Every valley should be filled in.Every mountain and hill should be made flat.Roads with turns should be made straight,and rough roads should be made smooth.
6. And all people will know about the salvation of God!’” Isaiah 40:3-5
7. Crowds of people came to be baptized by John. He said to them, “You poisonous snakes! Who warned you to run away from God’s anger that is coming?
8. You must do the things that will show that you really have changed your hearts. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you that God can make children for Abraham from these rocks here.
9. The ax is now ready to cut down the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”