² during ^(A)the high priesthood of Annas and ^(B)Caiaphas, ^(C)the word of God came to ^(D)John the son of Zechariah in ^(E)the wilderness. ³ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming ^(F)a baptism of repentance ^(G)for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in ^(H)the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

⁷ He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ^(P)“You brood of ^(Q)vipers! Who warned you to flee from ^(R)the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruits ^(S)in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ^(T)‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from ^(U)these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. ^(V)Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”