John the Baptist Prepares the Way
The abeginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, bthe Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets:
a“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
3 “Thea voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 aJohn came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 aThen all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was aclothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, a“There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 aI indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you bwith the Holy Spirit.”
John Baptizes Jesus
9 aIt came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 aAnd immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit bdescending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, a“You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Satan Tempts Jesus
12 aImmediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; aand the angels ministered to Him.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 aNow after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, bpreaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, a“The time is fulfilled, and bthe kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Four Fishermen Called as Disciples
16 aAnd as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become afishers of men.” 18 aThey immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit
21 aThen they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the bsynagogue and taught. 22 aAnd they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an aunclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! aWhat have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I bknow who You are—the cHoly One of God!”
25 But Jesus arebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit ahad convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His afame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Peter’s Mother‑in‑Law Healed
29 aNow as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset
32 aAt evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and acast out many demons; and He bdid not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
Preaching in Galilee
35 Now ain the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He bprayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, a“Everyone bis looking for You.”
38 But He said to them, a“Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because bfor this purpose I have come forth.”
39 aAnd He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and bcasting out demons.
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
40 aNow a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41 Then Jesus, moved with acompassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, aimmediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things awhich Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
45 aHowever, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; band they came to Him from every direction. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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