3:7 ヨハネは、ファリサイ派やサドカイ派の人々が大勢、洗礼を受けに来たのを見て、こう言った。「蝮の子らよ、差し迫った神の怒りを免れると、だれが教えたのか。

3:8 悔い改めにふさわしい実を結べ。

3:9 『我々の父はアブラハムだ』などと思ってもみるな。言っておくが、神はこんな石からでも、アブラハムの子たちを造り出すことがおできになる。

3:10 斧は既に木の根元に置かれている。良い実を結ばない木はみな、切り倒されて火に投げ込まれる。

3:11 わたしは、悔い改めに導くために、あなたたちに水で洗礼を授けているが、わたしの後から来る方は、わたしよりも優れておられる。わたしは、その履物をお脱がせする値打ちもない。その方は、聖霊と火であなたたちに洗礼をお授けになる。

3:12 そして、手に箕を持って、脱穀場を隅々まできれいにし、麦を集めて倉に入れ、殻を消えることのない火で焼き払われる。」

3:7 When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, "You snakes-who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?

3:8 Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.

3:9 And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!

3:10 The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.

3:11 I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.

3:12 He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out."