1017 B
You poisonous snakes
This could be translated as, "You are like lying poisonous snakes!" John was calling them poisonous snakes because they were dangerous and deceptive.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit
John is not really talking about trees. This is an expression that compares good fruit to good actions and attitudes that come from God.
will be cut down and thrown into the fire
This means, "will be judged and punished by God."
John fulfilled
That is, "John was doing" what the prophet said God's messenger would do.
See
This could be translated as "Look and see" or, "Pay attention!"
my messenger
That is, "I, Yahweh, will send my messenger." In some languages it would be more natural to use an indirect quote for this sentence, such as: "what the prophet Isaiah predicted when he said that God would send his messenger."
ahead of you
In this phrase, the word "you" refers to the Messiah.
prepare your way
God's messenger will prepare the people to listen to the Messiah.