⁷ He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers!^(A) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?^{(B) 8} Therefore produce fruit^(C) consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’^(D) for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. ⁹ The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”^(E)

¹⁰ “What then should we do?” ^(F) the crowds were asking him.

¹¹ He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”^(G)

¹² Tax collectors^(H) also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” ^(I)

¹³ He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.”

¹⁴ Some soldiers also questioned him, “What should we do?”

He said to them, “Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

¹⁵ Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.^{(J) 16} John answered them all,^(K) “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with^[a] the Holy Spirit and fire.

Growth in the Faith

³ His^[a] divine power^(A) has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge^(B) of him who called^(C) us by^[b] his own glory and goodness. ⁴ By these he has given us very great and precious promises,^(D) so that through them you may share in the divine nature,^(E) escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, ⁶ knowledge with self-control,^(F) self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, ⁷ godliness with brotherly affection,^(G) and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless^(H) or unfruitful^(I) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election,^(J) because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom^(K) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

¹² Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth^(L) you now have. ¹³ I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent,^(M) to wake you up with a reminder, ¹⁴ since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me.^{(N) 15} And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.^[c]