1This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2It is written in the prophets: "Listen! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way."
3"A voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"
4John came and baptized people in the wilderness, telling them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
5Everyone in the Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
6John was dressed in clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
7He announced, "After me will come one more powerful than I, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to stoop down and untie."
8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
9At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River.
10As Jesus came up out of the water, he immediately saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; I am very pleased with you."
12Immediately, the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness.
13He was in the wilderness for forty days, where he was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
14After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God's Kingdom,
15saying, "The time is now! God's Kingdom is near! Change your hearts and minds, and believe the Good News!"
16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, because they were fishermen.
17Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people."
18They immediately left their nets and followed him.
19Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat mending their nets.
20He immediately called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
21They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue and taught.
22The people were amazed at his teaching because he taught them with authority, unlike the religious teachers.
23Immediately, there was a man in their synagogue who had an evil spirit, and he cried out,
24saying, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!”
25Jesus ordered him, “Be quiet and come out of him!”
26The evil spirit shook the man violently, cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27Everyone was so amazed that they started asking each other, “What is this? This is new teaching! With authority, he commands even evil spirits, and they obey him!”
28News about him immediately spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee and the surrounding area.
29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
30Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31He went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32That evening, after sunset, people brought to him all who were sick and those possessed by demons.
33The entire city gathered at the door.
34He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.
35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and left for a secluded place, where he prayed.
36Simon and his companions went out to look for him.
37They found him and said, "Everyone is looking for you!"
38He told them, "Let's go to the neighboring towns so I can preach there too, because that is why I came."
39So he traveled throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
40A man with leprosy came to him, begging him on his knees and saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
41Jesus was filled with compassion. He reached out his hand, touched the man, and said, "I am willing. Be clean!"
42As soon as he had spoken, the leprosy immediately left the man, and he was cleansed.
43Jesus strictly warned him and immediately sent him away,
44telling him, "Make sure you don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the sacrifices Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
45However, the man went out and began to spread the news widely and tell everyone. As a result, Jesus could no longer openly enter a town but stayed outside in deserted areas. Yet, people still came to him from everywhere.