10|The Return to Nazareth19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph inEgypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to theland of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and hismother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s sonArchelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream,he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a towncalled Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be calleda Nazarene.”John the Baptist Prepares the WayIn those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and beganpreaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, forthe Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking aboutJohn when he said,3voice shoutingin the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the LORD ’s coming!“He is aClear the road for him!’ ”John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leatherbelt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People fromJerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out tosee and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them inthe Jordan River.7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch himbaptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Whowarned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that youhave repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other,‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for Itell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Evennow 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 andthrown into the fire.11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. Butsomeone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’mnot worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals.4baptize youHoly Spiritand with fire.He willwith theHe is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork.Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barnbut burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”12MATT_MARK.indd 102020/12/03 09:47:12
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