[Dec 7] ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” [MATTHEW 3:1-12]

The Preaching of John the Baptist.
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In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
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[and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
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It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
“A voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.’”
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John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
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At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him
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and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
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When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees* coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
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And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
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Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
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I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
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His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”