1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

1:2 As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, Who will prepare your way before you.

1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.`"

1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

1:5 There went out to him all the country of Judea, and all those of Jerusalem. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.

1:6 John was clothed with camel`s hair and a leather belt around his loins. He ate locusts and wild honey.

1:7 He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.

1:8 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

1:9 It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

1:10 Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

1:11 A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

1:12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.

1:13 He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals. The angels ministered to him.

1:14 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the gospel."

1:16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen.

1:17 Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men."

1:18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.

1:19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets.

1:20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

1:21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.

1:22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

1:23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,

1:24 saying, "Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God."

1:25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"

1:26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

1:27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

1:28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.

1:29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

1:30 Now Simon`s wife`s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.

1:31 He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.

1:32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed with demons.

1:33 All the city was gathered together at the door.

1:34 He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. He didn`t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.

1:35 Early in the night, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed.

1:36 Simon and those who were with him followed after him;

1:37 and they found him, and told him, "All are seeking you."

1:38 He said to them, "Let`s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, for to this end I came forth."

1:39 He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

1:40 There came to him a leper, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, "If you want to, you can make me clean."

1:41 Being moved with compassion, he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I want to. Be made clean."

1:42 When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.

1:43 He strictly charged him, and immediately sent him out,

1:44 and said to him, "See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."