CHAPTER 1
As
it is written
in
Isaiah
the
prophet:
“Behold,
I will send
My
messenger
ahead of You,
who
will prepare
Your
way.”
“A voice
of one calling
in
the
wilderness,
‘Prepare
the
way
for the Lord,
make
straight
paths
for Him.’”
John
the
Baptist
appeared
in
the
wilderness,
preaching
a baptism
of repentance
for
the forgiveness
of sins.
People went out
to
him
from all
of Jerusalem
and
the
countryside
of Judea.
Confessing
their
sins,
they were baptized
by
him
in
the
Jordan
River.
John
was
clothed in
camel’s
hair,
with
a leather
belt
around
his
waist.
His food was
locusts
and
wild
honey.
And
he began to proclaim:
“After
me
will come
One
more powerful
than I,
the
straps
of
whose
sandals
I am
not
worthy
to stoop down
and untie.
As soon as Jesus
came up
out of
the
water,
he saw
the
heavens
breaking open
and
the
Spirit
descending
on
Him
like
a dove.
and
He was
there
for forty
days,
being tempted
by
Satan.
He was
with
the
wild animals,
and
the
angels
ministered
to Him.
“The
time
is fulfilled,”
He said,
“and
the
kingdom
of God
is near.
Repent
and
believe
in
the
gospel!”
As
Jesus was walking
beside
the
Sea
of Galilee,
He saw
Simon
and
his
brother
Andrew.
They were casting a net
into
the
sea,
for
they were
fishermen.
Going on
a little farther,
He saw
James
son
of Zebedee
and
his
brother
John.
They
were in
a
boat,
mending
their
nets.
Immediately
Jesus called
them,
and
leaving
their
father
Zebedee
in
the
boat
with
the
hired men,
they followed
Him.
Then
Jesus and His companions went
to
Capernaum,
and
as soon as
the
Sabbath began,
Jesus entered
the
synagogue
and began to teach.
The people were astonished
at
His
teaching,
because
He taught
as
one who had
authority,
and
not
as
the
scribes.
“What
do You want
with us,
Jesus
of Nazareth?
Have You come
to destroy
us?
I know
who
You
are—
the
Holy One
of God!”
All the people
were amazed
and
began to ask
one another,
“What
is
this?
A new
teaching
with
authority!
He commands
even
the
unclean
spirits,
and
they obey
Him!”
As soon as
Jesus and His companions had left
the
synagogue,
they went
with
James
and
John
to
the
home
of Simon
and
Andrew.
So
He went to her,
took
her
by the hand,
and helped her up.
The
fever
left
her,
and
she began to serve
them.
And
Jesus healed
many
who were
ill
with various
diseases
and
drove out
many
demons.
But
He would not allow
the
demons
to speak,
because
they knew
who He was.
Early in the morning,
while it was
still dark,
Jesus got up
and slipped out
to
a solitary
place
to pray.
But
Jesus answered,
“Let us go
on
to
the
neighboring
towns
so
I can preach
there
as well,
for
that is why
I have come.”
Moved with compassion,
Jesus reached out
His
hand
and touched the man.
“I am willing,”
He said,
“Be clean.”
“See
that you don’t tell
anyone.
But
go,
show
yourself
to the
priest
and
present the offering
Moses
prescribed
for
your
cleansing,
as
a testimony
to them.”
But
the man
went out
and openly
began
to proclaim
and
spread
the
news.
Consequently,
Jesus
could no longer
enter
a town
in plain view,
but
He stayed
out
in
solitary
places.
Yet
people came
to
Him
from every quarter.