1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

2As it is written in the prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You.

3The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. ' "

4John came baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5And all those of the country of Judea went out, and those of Jerusalem, and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying, "The One Who is coming after me is mightier than I, of Whom I am not worthy to stoop down to loose the thong of His sandals. 8I have indeed baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9And it came to pass in those days that 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 open, and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven, saying, "You are My Son, the Beloved, in Whom I have great delight."

12And soon after, the Spirit compelled Him to go out into the wilderness; 13And He was there in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild animals; and afterwards angels ministered to Him.

14Now after the imprisonment of John, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15And saying, "The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."

16And as He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a large net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." 18And they immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19And after moving on a little way from there, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; and they were in the ship, mending the nets. 20And He called them at once; and leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, they followed Him.

21Then they went into Capernaum. And on the Sabbaths, after going into the synagogue, He straightway taught the people. 22And they were astonished at His doctrine; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Now in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit; and it cried out, 24Saying, "Ah! What have we to do with You, Jesus, the Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know Who You are--the Holy One of God!" 25But Jesus rebuked it, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him." 26And after throwing him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice, the spirit came out of him. 27Then all were astonished, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new teaching is this, that with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him?" 28And His fame swiftly spread into all the country around Galilee.

29And as soon as they had gone out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30And Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever. And they spoke to Him at once about her. 31And He came to her, and took her by the hand and raised her up. And immediately the fever left her, and she served them.

32Now in the evening, when the sun had gone down, they brought to Him all who were diseased, and those who were possessed by demons; 33And the entire city was gathered together at the door. 34Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and He cast out many demons; but He did not allow the demons to speak because they knew Him.

35And at the time of the morning watch, while it was still night, He rose up; and going out, He departed into a desert place, and was praying there. 36And Simon, and those who were with him, went out after Him. 37And after finding Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38But He said to them, "Let us go to the towns in the neighboring countryside, so that I may also preach there; because I have come for this purpose." 39And He preached in all their synagogues in Galilee, and cast out demons.

40And a leper came to Him, beseeching Him and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If You will, You have the power to cleanse me." 41Then Jesus, being moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will. Be cleansed." 42And as soon as He had spoken, the leprosy immediately departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43Now after strictly commanding him, He sent him away at once, 44And said to him, "See that you do not say anything to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." 45But after leaving, he began to proclaim it extensively and to spread the matter abroad, so that He was no longer able to enter the city openly, but stayed outside the city in desert places; and they came to Him from every region.