‏ Mark 1

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way"; 3"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’" 4John came baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And all the land of Judea, and the people from Jerusalem, went out to him and they were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying, "After me comes One who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." 12The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

14Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." 16And as 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 make you become fishers of men." 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19When he had gone a little farther from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him. 21And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

23Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31So he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. 32Now at evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35Now in the morning, a long while before daylight, he rose and went out to a solitary place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37and when they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." 38And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, so I may preach there also; for that is why I have come." 39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

40Then a leper came to him, imploring him, kneeling down to him and saying to him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be clean." 42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43And he strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44and he said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 45But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was outside in the deserted places; and people came to him from every quarter.