Matthew 3:9-11

Easy-to-Read Version

⁹I know what you are thinking. You want to say, ‘but Abraham is our father!’ That means nothing. I tell you, God could make children for Abraham from these rocks. ¹⁰The ax is now ready to cut down the trees.^[a] Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹“I baptize you with water to show that you have changed your hearts and lives. But there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who takes off his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

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Footnotes

Matthew 3:10 trees The people who don’t obey God. They are like “trees” that will be cut down.

Matthew 3:9-11

New International Version

⁹And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’^(A) I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.^(B)

¹¹“I baptize you with^[a] water for repentance.^(C) But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with^[b] the Holy Spirit^(D) and fire.^(E)