16. The Holy Forerunner Gives Instruction. Mt. 3:7–10; Lk. 3:7–14

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, the holy John said to them: Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves: “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. And the people asked him: What then shall we do? And he answered them: Whoever has two garments, let him share with him who has none, and whoever has food, let him do likewise.

Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him: Teacher! what should we do? He answered them: Exact nothing more than what is appointed to you.

Soldiers also asked him: And what should we do? And he said to them: Do not rob anyone, do not accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your wages.