1 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the wilderness of Judea2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!"3 He was the one the prophet Isaiah was referring to when he said, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way for the Lord!Make his paths straight!’"4 John had clothing made of camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region along the Jordan began flocking to him,6 being baptized by him in the Jordan River while they confessed their sins.