1Beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2even as it is written in the prophet Isaiah, Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face to prepare your way. 3The voice of one crying aloud. In the desert make ready a road for the Lord. Make his paths straight. 4In the desert came Johnwho baptized, and preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; 5and all the land of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem, kept going out to him, and were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. 6And Johnwas clothed with camel’s hair, and he had a leather girdle round his loins, and he ate locusts, and "honey of the wood." 7He made proclamation. "There is One mightier than I coming after me, and I am not worthy to stoop down and unfasten his sandal strap; 8I have baptized you in water, but he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit."¶ 9It was at that time that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by Johnin the Jordan; 10and as soon as he rose from the water he saw the sky cleft asunder, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him, 11and a voice from the sky. "Thou art my Son, my beloved; in thee is my delight." 12Then the Spirit drove him at once into the desert, 13and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was among the wild beasts, but the angels were ministering to him.¶ 14After Johnhad been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God. 15"The time is now come," he said, "and the kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the gospel." 16And as he was passing along by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting their net into the sea, for they were fishermen; 17so Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther on he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and Johnhis brother, who also were in their boat mending the nets. 20Straightway he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him. 21So they came to Capernaum, and as soon as the Sabbath Day came he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22They were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the Scribes.¶ 23And at that very moment, there in their synagogue, a man in the grip of an unclean spirit shrieked out. 24"What business have you with us, you Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God." 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying. "Be quit! Come out of him." 26So the unclean spirit, after tearing him, came out of him with a loud cry; 27and every one was amazed so that they began questioning among themselves. "What does this mean? A new teaching with authority? He lays commands even upon unclean spirits and they obey him." 28And at once his fame spread everywhere through that part of Galilee.¶ 29On leaving the synagogue they went at once with Jamesand Johnto the house of Simon and Andrew. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick of fever, and without delay they told him about her. 31So he came and took her hand and raised her up. The fever left her at once, and she began to wait upon them. 32At evening when the sun had set, people came and brought to him all the sick and demon-possessed, 33and the whole town was gathered at the door. 34He cured many who were ill with various diseases, and drove out many demons. But he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. 35In the morning he rose a great while before day and went out to a desert place, and there prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted him up, 37and told him, "Every one is looking for you." 38"Let us go away," he answered, "to the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there, too; because for that purpose I came forth." 39So he went throughout Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons.¶ 40One day a leper cane to him and besought him as he knelt down to him, saying, "If you choose, you are able to cleanse me." 41Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do choose, be clean!" 42The leprosy at once left him, and he was made clean. 43Jesus immediately sent him away, charging him sternly and saying. 44"See you say nothing to any one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your purification what Moses commanded for a testimony to them." 45But he went out and began to tell every one and to publish it broadcast, so that Jesus could no longer enter any town openly; but he had to remain outside in lonely places, and people kept coming to him from every quarter.¶