The Messiah’s Herald

1The beginninga of the gospelb of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.a c 2As it is written in Isaiaha the prophet:a b

See, I am sending my messengerc ahead of you;

he will prepare your way.B d e

3A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:a

Prepare the way for the Lord;b

make his paths straight!c d

4John came baptizinga a in the wildernessb and proclaiming a baptism of repentancec for the forgivenessd of sins.e 5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalema were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordanb River, confessingc their sins.d 6John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locustsa and wild honey.b

7He proclaimed, “One who is more powerfula than I am is coming after me.b I am not worthyc to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.d 8I baptize you withA water,a but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”b

The Baptism of Jesus

9Ina those days Jesus came from Nazarethb in Galileec and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavensa being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voicea came from heaven:b “You are my belovedc Son;d with you I am well-pleased.”e

The Temptation of Jesus

12Immediatelya the Spiritb drovec him into the wilderness.d 13He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempteda by Satan.b He was with the wild animals,c and the angelsd were serving him.

Ministry in Galilee

14Aftera John was arrested,b Jesus went to Galilee,c proclaimingd the good newsa B e of God:f 15“The timea is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Godb has comec near.d Repente and believef the good news! ”

The First Disciples

16Asa he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee,b he saw Simonc and Andrew,d Simon’s brother, casting a net into the seae — for they were fishermen. 17“Follow me,”a Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish fora b people.”c 18Immediately they left their nets and followeda him.b 19Going on a little farther, he saw Jamesa the son of Zebedeeb and his brother Johnc in a boat putting their nets in order. 20Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.a

Driving Out an Unclean Spirit

21Theya went into Capernaum,b and right away he entered the synagoguec on the Sabbathd and began to teach.e 22They were astonisheda at his teachingb because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

23Just then a man with an uncleana spiritb was in their synagogue.c He cried out, 24“What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?a Have you come to destroyb us? I know who you are — the Holyc One of God! ”d

25Jesus rebukeda him saying, “Be silent,b and come out of him! ” 26And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions,a shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.

27They were all amazed,a and so they began to askb each other, “What is this? A new teachingc with authority!a d He commands even the uncleane spirits,f and they obey him.” 28At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.a

Healings at Capernaum

29Asa soon as they left the synagogue,b they went into Simonc and Andrew’sd housee with Jamesf and John.g 30Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up.a The feverb left her,A and she began to servec them.d

32Whena evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sickb and demon-possessed.c 33The whole town was assembled at the door, 34and he healeda many who were sick with various diseasesb and drove outc many demons.d And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.e

Preaching in Galilee

35Verya early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place;b and there he was praying.c 36Simona and his companions searched for him, 37and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preacha there too. This is why I have come.”

A Man Cleansed

39He went into all of Galilee,a preaching in their synagoguesb and driving out demons. 40Thena a man with leprosya b came to him and, on his knees,B c begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”d 41Moved with compassion,a a Jesus reached out his hand and touchedb him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42Immediately the leprosya left him, and he was made clean. 43Then he sternly warneda him and sent him awayb at once, 44telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone;a but go and showb yourself to the priest,c and offerd what Moses commanded for your cleansing,e as a testimonyf to them.”A 45Yet he went out and began to proclaima it widely and to spread the news,b with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.