The preacher had withdrawn a little way above the point where the river Jordan flows into the Dead Sea.

The district, usually so deserted, was alive with all sorts of people, among them Rabbis and men learned in the law, who represented themselves as penitents, but desired to outwit the prophet with cunning.

The preacher stood on a stone; he held a corner of his camel's hair garment, pressed against his hairy breast with one hand, and the other he stretched heavenwards and said: "Rabbis, are ye here too?
Are ye at last afraid of the wrath of heaven which ye see approaching, and so take refuge with him who calls on ye to repent?
Ye learned hypocrites! Ye stone him who can hurt you with a breath, and praise him who brings with him a human sacrifice.

See that your repentance does not become your judge.

But if it is sincere, then receive the water on your head as a token that you desire to be pure in heart." Such were the words he spoke.