¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John^(A) might possibly be the Messiah.^{(B) 16} John answered them all, “I baptize you with^[a] water.^(C) But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with^[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.^{(D) 17} His winnowing fork^(E) is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”^(F)