1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in the Prophets: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. 3The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. 4John came immersing in the wilderness and preaching an immersion of repentance for the remission of sins. 5And all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all immersed by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather waistband around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying, There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I indeed immerse you in water, but He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit. 9And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was immersed by John in the Jordan. 10And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11And a voice came from Heaven, 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 beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. 14Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom 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 after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18And they immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19And when He had gone a little farther from there, He saw Jacob 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 went after Him. 21And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22And they were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught them as one having 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 when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. 28And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. 29And as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with Jacob and John. 30But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and at once 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. 32And 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 did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. 35And in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with Him followed after Him. 37And when they found Him, they said to Him, Everyone is looking for You. 38But He said to them, Let us go into the neighboring towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth. 39And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. 40Now a leper came to Him, begging Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, If You are willing, You can make me clean. 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be made clean. 42And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44and said to him, See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them. 45However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.