1The beginning of the Good News (gospel) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God: 2As it is written in Isaiah, the prophet, “I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who shall prepare Your way before You. 3The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’” 4And so John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5And all of Judaea went out to him, as well as those of Jerusalem, and were all baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a leather belt about his waist; and he ate locusts and wild honey; 7And he preached, saying, “There is One much greater than I coming after me, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. 8I, indeed, have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9And then one day Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan. 10And coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11And there came a voice from heaven, saying, “You are My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”

12And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and was with the wild animals; and the angels ministered to Him.

14Now after John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15And saying, “The time has come, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel.”

16As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for men.” 18And at once they left their nets, and followed Him. 19And when He had gone a little farther, He saw James, son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in their boat mending their nets. 20And He immediately called them; and they promptly left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and followed Him.

21And they went to Capernaum; and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, and began to teach. 22And the people were astonished at His doctrine; for He taught them as one with authority, and not like the scribes. 23And there was in their synagogue a man possessed by an evil spirit (demon); and he cried out, 24“Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know You Who You are - the Holy One of God.” 25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Hold your peace, and come out of him.” 26And when the evil spirit had thrown the man into a convulsion, he came out of him with a loud shriek. 27And the people were all amazed, to the point where they asked each other, “What sort of new teaching is this? For with authority, He even commands the evil spirits, and they obey Him.” 28And His fame quickly spread over the whole region around Galilee.

29And when they left the synagogue, they went with James and John into the house of Simon and Andrew. 30But Simon's mother-in-law lay in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Him of her condition. 31And Jesus came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she got up waited upon them. 32And that evening, after sunset, the people brought to Him all those who were diseased, and those possessed with demons. 33And the whole town was gathered at the door. 34And Jesus healed many of diverse diseases, and cast out many demons; but He forbade the demons to speak, because they knew Who He was.

35And very early the next morning, He rose and went into a solitary place, and there He prayed. 36And Simon and His other followers went looking for Him 37And when they had found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone was looking for You.” 38And He replied, “Let us go into the nearby villages, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came.” 39And He preached in the synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.

40And a man with leprosy came, kneeling before Him, and begging Him, saying to Him, “If You will, You can make me clean.” 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I will. Be clean!” 42And as soon as He had spoken, the leprosy immediately departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43And Jesus sent him away, 44After warning him, “See that you tell no man; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” 45But instead, he went out, and began to proclaim and spread the matter abroad, so much so, that Jesus could no more openly enter any towns, but stayed outside in secluded places; and they came to Him from everywhere.