5. People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.
6. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?
8. Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
9. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.
10. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.