⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!^(A) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?^{(B) 8} Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’^(C) For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

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)