1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 The prophet Isaiah wrote: »I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your way.«

3 »The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of Jehovah, make his paths straight.« (Isaiah 40:3)

4 John the Baptist was in the desert wilderness telling people to repent turn away from sin and be baptized for forgiveness of sins.

5 People from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

6 John was clothed in camel’s hair with a leather belt about his loins. He ate locusts and wild honey.

7 He told the people: »The man who comes after me is greater than I am. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his shoes.

8 »I baptized immersed you with water, but he will baptize Greek: baptizo: immerse, submerge you with Holy Spirit.«

9 Soon Jesus came from Nazareth in the province of Galilee. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.

10 When Jesus came out of the water he saw the heavens open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove.

11 Then a voice came from heaven: « You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.«

12 At once the Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness filled with wild animals.

13 Satan tempted Jesus. This lasted forty days. The angels took care of Jesus.

14 After John was locked in prison Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News of God to the people.

15 Jesus said: »The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news.«

16 Walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two fishermen Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother. They were casting a net into the sea.

17 Jesus said: Follow me and I will teach you to catch people.

18 They immediately left the nets and went with him.

19 Jesus then saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat preparing their nets to go fishing.

20 Jesus called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.

21 Jesus and his followers traveled to Capernaum. On the day of worship Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

22 They were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught with authority and not like the scribes.

23 Suddenly in the synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit. He screamed:

24 »What do you want with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!«

25 Jesus rebuked the spirit by saying: »Be quiet, and come out of him!«

26 The evil spirit shook the man hard, gave a loud scream, and came out of him.

27 The people were all amazed and questioned. »What is this? What new doctrine is this? He has authority over the unclean spirits, and they obey him.«

28 His fame spread to the entire country of Galilee.

29 Jesus and his disciples, including James and John, left the synagogue and went directly to the home of Simon and Andrew.

30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. At once they told Jesus about her.

31 He took her by the hand and helped her sit up. The fever suddenly left. So she got up and prepared a meal for them.

32 That evening at sunset many sick and demon-possessed people were presented to Jesus.

33 A huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside to watch.

34 Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases. He cast out many demons. Knowing them he would not permit the demons to speak.

35 Early in the morning, long before daybreak, Jesus awoke and went into the wilderness to pray.

36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him.

37 They informed him: »Everyone is asking for you.«

38 He replied: »We must go to other towns. I will preach to them too. I came for this purpose.«

39 He went to Synagogues in every part of Galilee, preaching and driving out evil spirits.

40 A man with leprosy knelt in front of Jesus and begged to be healed. »If you want to, you can make me well,« he said.

41 Moved with compassion Jesus touched him. »I want to,« he said. »Be healed!«

42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared and man was healed.

43 Jesus sent him away and warned him. »Go directly to the priest and let him examine you.

44 »Do not talk to anyone along the way. Take the offering the Law of Moses requires for those healed of leprosy. That way everyone will have proof of your healing.«

45 But the man gave a public account of his healing everywhere he went. Soon crowds surrounded Jesus and he could not enter a town publicly. He had to stay in secluded places and people continued to come to him.