So he was saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “(A)You [a]offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore produce fruits that are consistent with repentance, and (B)do not start saying [b]to yourselves, ‘(C)We have Abraham as our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children for Abraham. But indeed the axe is already being laid at the root of the trees; so (D)every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 3:7 Or brood
  2. Luke 3:8 Or among

When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

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