I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.

Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.”

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.