¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”^[a](A)

⁴ so John the baptizer appeared^[a] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^(A)

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?^{(A) 8} Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.^{(B) 9} Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”^(C)

Repent or Perish

13 At that very time there were some present who told Jesus^[a] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.^{(A) 2} He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?^{(B) 3} No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. ⁴ Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem?^{(C) 5} No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”

⁴⁴ Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”^{(A) 45} Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶ and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah^[a] is^[b] to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day^{(B) 47} and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.^{(C) 48} You are witnesses^[c] of these things.^(D)

³⁸ Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^(A)

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.^{[a](A) 30} The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.^{(B) 31} God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.^{(C) 32} And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”^(D)