Spring ESL Class - April 7, 2018

A. Highlights of Your Week

B. Short Story: Colonel Sandes

Harland Sanders was born in 1890 in Henryville, IN. When he was six years old, his father passed away, leaving Sanders to cook and care for his siblings. In seventh grade, he dropped out of school and left home to go work as a farmhand. He was already turning into a tough cookie.

At 16, he faked his age to enlist in the United States army. After being honorably discharged a year later, he worked on the railroad, until he got fired for fighting with a coworker. He studied law, until he ruined his legal career by getting into another fight. Sanders had no choice. He moved back in with his mother and get a job selling life insurance, until he got fired for disobedience.

It wasn't until age 40 that he began selling chicken dishes in a service station. As he began to advertise his food, an argument with a competitor resulted in the deadly shooting of Sanders’ business partner. Four years later, he bought a motel next to his restaurant, but it burned to the ground along with his restaurant. He rebuilt the motel, but had to close it because of World War II.

At 65 years of age, Sanders was broke and living in a tiny house. He was living off of $99 social security checks. He knew that he had to make a change. He said, "I made a resolve then that I was going to amount to something if I could. And no hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me.” Sanders went from restaurant to restaurant trying to franchise his chicken. His recipe was rejected 1,009 times before anyone accepted it.

When people finally tasted Sander's secret recipe, "Kentucky Fried Chicken", the chicken quickly became a hit. After years of failures and misfortunes, Sanders finally hit it big. KFC expanded internationally and he sold the company for two million dollars. Even today, Sanders remains central in KFC's branding and his face still appears in their logo. His goatee, white suit and western string tie continue to symbolize delicious country fried chicken all over the world.

At age 90, Sanders passed away from pneumonia. At that time, there were around 6,000 KFC locations in 48 countries. By 2015, there were a 21,000 KFC locations in 120 countries. If you're overwhelmed by rejection or discouraged by setbacks, remember the story of Colonel Harland Sanders, who was fired from multiple jobs, ruined his legal career, set back by the Great Depression, fires and World War II, and yet still created one of the largest fast food chains in the world.

C. Quiz
Idioms Quiz

1. in the family way
Jessica was so excited to share with her co-workers that she was in the family way. They all congratulated her for becoming ___.
a. shy
b. popular
c. pregnant

2. in the dog house
After Dennis hit the ball through his family's front window, he knew that he was going to be in the dog house. He was going to be ___.
a. enthusiastic
b. in trouble
c. happy

3. off the hook
Dennis couldn't believe his mother let him off the hook for breaking the window. She didn't  ___.
a. congratulate him
b. punish him
c. pay him

4. iron out
Fabio and Marcos had almost completed their deal and just needed to iron out some ___.
a. small details
b. clothes
c. sandwiches

5. in the nick of time

James Bond was able to defuse the bomb in the nick of time, just before the timer reached ___.
a. half
b. London
c. zero

6. once in a blue moon

Geraldine only changed her oil once in a blue moon. Her car mechanic always encouraged her to come to him ___. 

a. more often

b. later that week
c. whenever she wanted

7. on edge

Rebecca was on edge during the entire job interview. Facing the interviewers made her so ___.
a. excited
b. nervous
c. knowledgeable 

8. out like a light
When Brett finally got back to his hotel, he was out like a light. He ___.
a. exercised
b. worked very hard
c. fell asleep immediately

Answers: 1) c. 2) b. 3) b. 4) a. 5) c. 6) a/b. 7) b. 8) c.

D. Bible Story
Mark 5:1-20
Redemption: Jesus Casts Out Evil Spirits
1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” 9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 

10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. 11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” 13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. 

14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

Spring ESL CLass - Apring 11, 2018

A. Highlights of Your Week

B. Short Story
First Day at a New School
Thomas had put on his best new school shoes. Of course, since it was the first day of the semester. This morning, when the alarm had gone off, Thomas had woken with a jump. But now that was already an hour ago and he was still staring, as though hypnotized, at the figures advancing on his radio alarm clock, minute after minute, wondering if a space-time glitch could swallow him up and transport him to another universe.
Thomas felt nervous. Just a bit. But actually he was scared stiff. The same thing happened at the start of each semester. A mix of stage fright and fear took hold of him and turned his insides to water. Oh yes, he could definitely feel his stomach cramping.  Thomas looked at himself in the mirror, smoothed his hair down again and grabbed his folder. He forced a smile: "Come on, Thomas. Get your act together. It’s going to be OK," he told himself.
On the way to school, he could feel the tension building inside himself.
Would the canteen have the same disgusting cauliflower cheese reeking of old socks?
Would he find a place for himself in the huge school campus?
Would the head teacher be as tough as at his old school?
And the punishments… oh he was going to need to watch out for all that.
But right now it was time to line up. In twos. In silence.
When Thomas finally got to speak, everyone else was silent and sitting down. Time to get cracking.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Thomas and I’m going to be your new teacher this year!"
C.  Sayings Quiz: Men and Women
This quiz tests you on sayings about men and women.

1. A good man is hard to find

If "a good man is hard to find", then there are probably
a. not many good men
b. no good men
c. too many good men

2. A man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks

If "a man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks", then who is probably the "youngest"?
a. a man who looks old and feels old
b. a man who looks old and feels young
c. a woman who looks old and feels young

3. Behind every successful man is a woman

The saying "Behind every successful man is a woman" suggests that women often
a. cost a lot
b. discourage men
c. encourage men

4. Boys will be boys

"Boys will be boys" might be said to justify
a. children failing exams
b. men having a fight
c. boys doing their homework

5. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

The saying "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" implies that we can find the greatest anger
a. on earth
b. in hell
c. in heaven

6. It's a man's world

The saying "It's a man's world" implies that life is
a. neutral
b. fair
c. unfair

7. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach

If "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach", a woman may gain a man's affections with
a. flattery
b. money
c. food
D. Bible Story
Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Luke 2:1-20 (NLT)
The Birth of Jesus

2 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Spring ESL Class - April 18, 2018

A. Highlights of Your Week

B. Short Story
Winners of Ice Dancing 2006 Torino Italy

In China back in the 1970’s most of the people were isolated from the world with no outside TV or news.  China decided to enter ice dancing in the Olympics and called upon a boy named Yoew Bin who grew up skating. There was not enough money for the coaches to go so they went alone and only speaking Chinese. Their skating was terrible in competition and they fell many times. Yeow Bin left the ice dejected but determined.

Over the next 30 years he became a coach and with great determination, he developed the Chinese ice skaters into world-class competitors. For the 2006 Winter Olympics, he trained Shen and Zhao. But Zhao had an accident 2 years ago and tore his Achilles tendon.  He had surgery to repair his tendon and many people doubted he would skate again.

He continued to train as best he could with his foot in a cast. The couple trained and practiced hard.  Zhao had to get a special ice skate shoe big enough to support his repaired heel. They entered into 2006 Olympics and won third place, the Bronze medal.

Yeow’s other skating team was Zhang Hao and Zhang Dan.  They were a dynamic couple with very good jumps. They decided to try what had never been done in Olympic history:  a quadruple salchow.   Monday night he threw Zhang into the air, but she landed wrong and crashed to the ice damaging her left knee.

She could barely stand after sliding into the wall. She was helped off the ice where she was checked over by coach Yeow Bin.  After a few minutes they decided to try and finish their performance and pickup where they left off. They skated carefully for the next part of their routine.

And finished the rest of their performance flawlessly to the standing ovation of the whole coliseum. Even with the fall, they won second place receiving the silver medal.  Many couples would have quit after such an embarrassing and painful fall. These couples over came setbacks, hardships, and physical pain.

C. Idioms
 Idioms Quiz: Plants
This quiz tests you on idioms based on plant life.

1. bark up the wrong tree

The police think the murderer is hiding in the forest, but they're barking up the wrong tree. He is
a. in a different tree
b. in a different forest
c. not in a forest

2. beat around the bush | beat about the bush

It's hard not to beat around the bush when you have to
a. put out a bushfire
b. give someone some good news
c. tell someone some bad news

3. can't see the wood for the trees

The safety officer can't see the wood for the trees because
a. she's too focused on safety issues
b. she thinks all the trees look the same
c. she doesn't know which way to look

4. Everything's coming up roses.

"Wow, everything really is coming up roses for us this month" said Bobby after he and his wife had
a. checked their flower garden
b. checked their plumbing
c. checked their investments

5. fresh as a daisy

My grandma said, "I might be ninety years old, but I still feel as fresh as a daisy." She
a. feels much younger
b. looks much older
c. sounds much wiser

6. go out on a limb

My sister said that I went out on a limb when I
a. climbed high in the tree
b. said murder was wrong
c. said killing animals for food is murder

7. make hay while the sun shines

I'd better make hay while the sun shines and do some work on my book
a. while I have a bit of free time
b. despite having so much else to do
c. even though I don't feel like writing

8. nip it in the bud

Jules and Clive were starting to have problems in their marriage, so they decided to nip the problem in the bud and
a. get a divorce
b. get some counseling
c. pretend it wasn't happening

9. the cream of the crop

Martin was always told by his parents and teachers that he was the cream of the crop, so he thought he was
a. worse than other kids
b. the same as other kids
c. better than other kids

D. Bible Story
Matthew 4:1-11
The Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’”

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Spring ESL Class - May 2, 2018

A. Highlights of Your Week

B. Short Story
Under the Sun
It was a deserted spot; Emily had chosen this time deliberately to get some peace. With her eyes closed, she let herself be soothed by the sound of waves breaking on the beach, in ceaseless motion. The sun warmed her skin and she stretched out and relaxed, drawing two little circles in the warm sand with the tips of her fingers.

She had waited so long for this summer, after months of slaving away at work. Getting away, spending time with Pierre, lazing around in the sun, with the smells of sea salt and coconut-scented sun cream. She had with care her little red and white striped two piece swimsuit. It fit her like a glove; she was a stunning in it and Pierre was going to LOVE it!

But things had all changed when her boss had brought up the subject of the summer holidays again. Now that Sophie, her coworker, had left, her boss had gone back on his word and had not agreed to her holiday request. Emily was the newest employee and had no children, so no constraints. While everyone else was on holiday, she would have to work the entire summer. 

She had nearly walked out and slammed the door. Then the memory of 15 months looking for a job had come back to her. Emily had given in. She would go in October without Pierre, because he could not change his holiday dates at the drop of a hat. She was dragged from her daydream by the voices of children. She opened her eyes and brusquely pulled out the earphones playing recorded beach sounds.

“You’re taking all the room up, we can’t play!” the little girl complained. She must have been about six and was staring at Emily with incredulity, holding her little brother by one hand and her bucket by the other. Emily leapt up, tied her beach towel around her hips and got out of the sandbox. She had her revenge planned: one hour in the sandbox in the playground at the end of the street, every day at lunch-time. She would have a better tan than her boss when he came back on August 15th! She smiled at the thought as she made her way back to the office.

C. Idioms Quiz
 Idioms Quiz: Structures
This quiz tests you on idioms based on structures.

1. a ballpark figure | a ballpark estimate

She gave us a ballpark figure for the cost because she
a. didn't know the exact amount
b. knew how much a ballpark cost
c. wanted to tell us the exact amount

2. a night on the town

I had a night on the town with Lee and we
a. worked until dawn
b. watched TV at my place
c. left the last club at 2 a.m.

3. a roller coaster

Ben says his life was a roller-coaster ride while
a. he was living in an amusement park
b. he was staying in a cottage in the countryside
c. he was getting divorced and changing his job

4. burn your bridges

You'll be burning your bridges if you
a. save your money while working in a bank
b. steal a customer's money while working in a bank
c. borrow some money while working in a bank

5. cross that bridge when we come to it

We can say "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it" if someone asks about
a. how to get over a river
b. a future problem
c. a failed business

6. light at the end of the tunnel

Gillian's business has been losing money for years, but there's light at the end of the tunnel now because
a. she's closing down her business
b. she's starting to get more orders
c. the tunnel has been completed

7. paint the town red

We're heading out to paint the town red tonight, so don't forget to
a. bring plenty of cash
b. bring your paint brushes
c. bring your laptop

8. the new kid on the block

Dwayne is the new kid on the block. He
a. has just started working here
b. is going to get a promotion
c. is about to lose his job

9. under lock and key

The medicines are kept under lock and key so that
a. they can't be used
b. we can get them quickly
c. the children can't get them

10. water under the bridge | water over the dam

Sam says some things are water under the bridge and he doesn't want to talk about them, such as
a. what happened in his childhood
b. what he's doing these days
c. his plans for the future

D. Bible Story
John 3:1 - 21
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked. 10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Spring ESL Class - April 25, 2018

A. Highlights of Your Week

B. Short Story

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door. “Daddy, may I ask you a question?” “Yeah sure, what is it?” replied the man. “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.  “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.  

“If you must know, I make $20 an hour.”  “Oh,” the little boy replied, with his head down. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I please borrow $10?”   The father was furious, “If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard every day for such childish behavior.”     

 The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn’t ask for money very often.

The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door. “Are you asleep, son?” He asked. “No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy. “I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man, “It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $10you asked for.”      

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. “Oh, thank you daddy!” He yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at his father.

“Why do you want more money if you already have some?” the father grumbled. “Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.”

C. American Idioms

Idioms Quiz: Time 1
This quiz tests you on time idioms.

1. a question of time
If Taylor doesn't start eating healthy food, it's only a question of time before he
a. starts losing weight
b. has serious health problems
c. begins to get healthier

2. around the clock
The cafe is open around the clock, so
a. it's open 24 hours a day
b. it's located around a clock tower
c. it opens whenever a customer comes

3. behind the times
My uncle Ron is always so far behind the times that he
a. never arrives anywhere on time
b. never knows what the date is
c. never knows what young people are interested in

4. for the time being
Fatima wants to lose weight, so she's decided to stop eating cakes for the time being. She'll try not to eat them
a. for the rest of today
b. for the rest of her life
c. until she thinks she's lost enough weight

5. from now on
Rashid has promised his family that from now on he won't drink alcohol. This means he's promised not to drink alcohol
a. until he goes out
b. until tomorrow morning
c. for the rest of his life

6. from time to time
On most Saturday mornings Bill and Fran work in their garden, but from time to time they'll
a. stay at home
b. play golf instead
c. watch the sunset

7. in the long run
Jerry's life as a poor student is hard, but he says it'll be worth it in the long run when
a. he gets home and relaxes
b. he has fun on the weekend
c. he gets a good job after graduating

8. it's high time
Tim's mum said it was high time he paid her money for rent because
a. he's been paying it too long
b. he's just lost his job
c. he's had a job for months

D. Bible Reading : Jesus is Baptized

Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 3 The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”4 John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. 6 And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,[c] he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize with[d] water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[e] 12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[f]” So John agreed to baptize him.16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[g] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

John 1:29-34
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”