1 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming:2 »Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.«3 Isaiah spoke of John when he said: »He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Jehovah. Make his paths straight.« (Isaiah 40:3)4 John wore clothes made from camels hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.5 People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.6 They confessed their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River.