1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.”
3“A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”
4John came, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5And all the Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6Now John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he proclaimed, saying, “The one mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.”
8“I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10And immediately, as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11And a voice came from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12And immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.
13And he was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,
15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16As he was passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
19And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.
20And immediately he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, they followed him.
21And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and began to teach.
22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
23And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
24“What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”
26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.
27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
28And immediately the report about him spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
29And immediately after leaving the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
31And coming to her, he raised her up, taking her by the hand. And the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32And when evening came, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.
33And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35And very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose and went out and departed to a desolate place, and there he was praying.
36And Simon and those with him hunted for him,
37and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38And he says to them, “Let us go elsewhere into the neighboring towns, so that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.”
39And he went, preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee and casting out demons.
40And a leper comes to him, imploring him and kneeling, and saying to him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41And moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and says to him, “I am willing; be made clean.”
42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
43And after sternly warning him, he immediately sent him away,
44and says to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
45But he went out and began to proclaim it much and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was outside in desolate places; and they were coming to him from everywhere.
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