So (John) said to the crowd,
who had come out to be baptized by him,
‘Offspring of snakes
who warned you all
to flee from the coming wrath?
So bear fruit worthy of repentance,
and do not begin to say amongst yourselves
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I say to you
that God can raise from these stones
children for Abraham.’
And already the axe is ready
at the root of the trees.
So every tree
not bearing good fruit
is being chopped down
and being thrown into fire.’

The people being in expectation
and all wondering in the hearts about John
whether he might be the C hrist
John answered them all:
‘On the one hand I baptize you,
but on the other, the one stronger than me comes,
the one whom I am not worthy to loose the straps of his sandals.
He will baptise you all in the Holy Spirit and fire.
who cleans out his threshing floor with the shovel in his hand
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn in unquenchable fire.

Grant, Lord,
that we may hold to you without parting,
worship you without wearying,
serve you without failing;
faithfully seek you,
happily find you,
and forever possess you,
the only God,blessed now and for ever.
Amen

St Anselm