Mathewu 3:1-12

Ngalezo zinsuku kwafika uJohane uMbhapathizi, eshumayela ehlane laseJudiya, wathi: Phendukani, ngoba umbuso wezulu ususondele. Ngokuba nguyena okwakhulunywa ngaye u-Isaya umprofethi, ethi: “Izwi lomemeza ehlane, lithi: ‘Lungisani indlela yeNkosi, nenze imikhondo yayo iqonde.’ Yena uJohane wayenengubo yoboya bekamela, enoqhotho lwesikhumba okhalweni lwakhe; ukudla kwakhe kwakuyizintethe nezinyosi zasendle. Kwaphumela kuye iJerusalema, neJudiya lonke, nesifunda sonke saseJordani. Babhapathizwa nguye eJordani, bevuma izono zabo. Kodwa kwathi ebona abanengi babaFarisi labaSadusi besiza ekubhabhathizeni kwakhe, wathi kubo: Nzalo yezinyoka, ngubani olixwayisile ukubalekela ulaka oluzayo? Ngakho vezani izithelo ezifanele ukuphenduka; Ningacabangi ukusho phakathi kwenu ukuthi: ‘Sinobaba u-Abrahama;’ ngokuba ngithi kini: UNkulunkulu angamvusela u-Abrahama abantwana kulawa matshe. Kalokhu izembe selibekiwe empandeni yemithi, ngakho yonke imithi engatheli izithelo ezinhle iyagawulwa, iphonswe emlilweni. Mina nginibhapathiza ngamanzi kukho ukuphenduka; kepha ozayo emva kwami unamandla kunami, engingafanele ukuthwala izicathulo zakhe; olwelo lwakhe lusesandleni sakhe, aze ahlanze isibuya sakhe, abuthele ukolweni wakhe enqolobaneni; kepha amakhoba uyakuwashisa ngomlilo ongacimekiyo.