⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.

⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized^(A) by him in the Jordan River.

⁵ Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.^(A)

³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness,^(A) and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors^(B) and the prostitutes^(C) did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent^(D) and believe him.

⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

³² But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)^(A)

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!^(A) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?^(B)

¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John^(A) might possibly be the Messiah.^(B)