15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, (A)whether he might be (B)the Christ, 16 (C)John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but (D)he who is mightier than I is coming, (E)the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you (F)with the Holy Spirit and (G)fire. 17 His (H)winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to (I)gather the wheat into his barn, (J)but the chaff he will burn with (K)unquenchable fire.”

18 So (L)with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

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15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with[a] water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[b] 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:16a Or in.
  2. 3:16b Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire.