NARRATOR: In those days John the Baptizer came and began proclaiming in the desert of Judea:
JOHN: Turn away from your sins because the kingdom of heaven is near!
NARRATOR 1: John is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke—“a voice crying out in desert, ‘Prepare a road for God; make straight God’s path.’”
NARRATOR 2: John wore clothes made from camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. The people of Jerusalem, the whole province of Judea, and from all the country around the Jordan River went out to see him. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.
NARRATOR 1: When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them:
JOHN: You snakes! Who told you to flee from the wrath about to come? Prove you have turned from your sins. Don’t say to yourselves, “Abraham is our father.” I tell you out of these rocks God can raise up children of Abraham! The ax lies at the root of the tree. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
I baptize you with water to show that you have changed, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He has his winnowing shovel with him, to thresh out all the grain; he will gather his wheat into his barn but burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.
Matthew 3.1-12