Book of Common Prayer

¹⁰ namely those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise authority. Presumptuous they are, and stubborn, and fear not to speak evil of those who are in authority, ¹¹ whereas the angels, who are greater both in power and might, do not bring railing judgment against them before the Lord. ¹² But these, like brute beasts by nature born to be captured and destroyed, speak evil of that which they do not understand, and shall perish through their own destruction, ¹³ and receive the reward of unrighteousness.

They count it pleasure to live deliciously for a season. Spots they are, and vileness, living at pleasure, and in deceptive ways feasting with you, ¹⁴ having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls. Hearts they have exercised with covetousness. They are cursed children, ¹⁵ and have forsaken the right way, and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the reward of unrighteousness – ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his iniquity: the tame and dumb beast, speaking with man’s voice, opposed the foolishness of the prophet.

The baptism, preaching, and office of John the Baptist, and how Christ was baptized by him in the Jordan.

3 In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the wilderness of Judea, ² saying, Repent: the kingdom of heaven is at hand! ³ This is he of whom it is spoken by the prophet Isaiah, who says, The voice of a crier in wilderness: Prepare the Lord’s way, and make his paths straight.

⁴ This John had his garment of camel’s hair, and a girdle of skin about his loins. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ At that time Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan, went out to him, ⁶ and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

⁷ When he saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O offspring of vipers, who has taught you to flee from the vengeance to come? ⁸ Bring forth therefore the fruits belonging to repentance. ⁹ And see that you ones do not think to say in yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now is the axe put to the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. ¹¹ I baptize you in water in token of repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² He has also his fan in his hand, and will purge his floor, and gather the wheat into his garner, and will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.