| 章 |
| 1:1 |
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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| 1:2 |
It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"--
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| 1:3 |
"a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
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| 1:4 |
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
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| 1:5 |
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
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| 1:6 |
John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
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| 1:7 |
And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
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| 1:8 |
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
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| 1:9 |
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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| 1:10 |
As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
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| 1:11 |
And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
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| 1:12 |
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,
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| 1:13 |
and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
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| 1:14 |
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
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| 1:15 |
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
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| 1:16 |
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
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| 1:17 |
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
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| 1:18 |
At once they left their nets and followed him.
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| 1:19 |
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
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| 1:20 |
Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
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| 1:21 |
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
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| 1:22 |
The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
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| 1:23 |
Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,
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| 1:24 |
"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!"
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| 1:25 |
"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"
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| 1:26 |
The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
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| 1:27 |
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."
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| 1:28 |
News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
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| 1:29 |
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
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| 1:30 |
Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.
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| 1:31 |
So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
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| 1:32 |
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.
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| 1:33 |
The whole town gathered at the door,
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| 1:34 |
and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
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| 1:35 |
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
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| 1:36 |
Simon and his companions went to look for him,
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| 1:37 |
and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
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| 1:38 |
Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."
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| 1:39 |
So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
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| 1:40 |
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
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| 1:41 |
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
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| 1:42 |
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
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| 1:43 |
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
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| 1:44 |
"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
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| 1:45 |
Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
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