Mark 1
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way.
3 A voice crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 The whole region of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6 John wore clothes made of camel hair and a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed: “One stronger than I is coming after me, and I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.
8 I baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.”
12 Immediately afterward, the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.
13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels cared for him.
14 After John was handed over, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God.
15 He said: “The time has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea, because they were fishermen.
17 Jesus said to them: “Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of people.”
18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 Going a little farther, Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and John his brother, also in the boat, mending the nets.
20 At once he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers and went after Jesus.
21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately, on the Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching.
22 Everyone was amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not like the teachers of the Law.
23 At that moment, there was a man with an impure spirit in their synagogue, and he cried out.
24 And he said: “What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.”
25 Jesus rebuked him: “Be silent and come out of him.”
26 The impure spirit shook the man violently, gave a loud cry, and came out of him.
27 Everyone was so amazed that they discussed it among themselves: “What is this? A new teaching, with authority! He even commands the impure spirits, and they obey him.”
28 News about him soon spread throughout the whole surrounding region of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went to the home of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31 He went to her, took her hand, and lifted her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought him all who were sick and those possessed by demons.
33 The whole city had gathered at the door.
34 He healed many who were suffering from various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was.
35 Early in the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up, went out, and went to a deserted place; and there he prayed.
36 Simon and those who were with him went out looking for him.
37 When they found him, they said: “Everyone is looking for you.”
38 He replied: “Let’s go somewhere else, to the nearby villages, so I can proclaim the message there too; that is why I came out.”
39 He went throughout all Galilee, proclaiming in their synagogues and driving out the demons.
40 A man with leprosy came to him and, kneeling, pleaded: “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and said: “I am willing. Be made clean.”
42 At once the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
43 Jesus sternly warned him and immediately sent him away.
44 He said to him: “See that you tell no one anything. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
45 But he went out and began to proclaim many things and spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. He stayed outside, in deserted places; and people came to him from everywhere.
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