Mark:1

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* Beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ , the Son of God ; * even as it is written in the prophet Isaiah , Behold , I am sending my messenger before your face to prepare your way . * The voice of one crying aloud . In the desert make ready a road for the Lord . Make his paths straight . * In the desert came Johnwho baptized , and preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins ; * and 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 . * And Johnwas clothed with camels hair , and he had a leather girdle round his loins , and he ate locusts , and "honey of the wood ." * He made proclamation . "There is One mightier than I coming after me , and I am not worthy to stoop down and unfasten his sandal strap ; * I have baptized you in water , but he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit ." * It was at that time that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee , and was baptized by Johnin the Jordan ; * and as soon as he rose from the water he saw the sky cleft asunder , and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him , * and a voice from the sky . "Thou art my Son , my beloved ; in thee is my delight ." * Then the Spirit drove him at once into the desert , * and 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 . * After Johnhad been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God . * "The time is now come ," he said , "and the kingdom of God is near ! Repent and believe the gospel ." * And as he was passing along by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew , Simons brother , casting their net into the sea , for they were fishermen ; * so Jesus said to them , "Come after me , and I will make you to become fishers of men ." * At once they left their nets and followed him . * As 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 . * Straightway he called them , and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him . * So they came to Capernaum , and as soon as the Sabbath Day came he went into the synagogue and began to teach . * They were astonished at his teaching , for he was teaching them with authority , not like the Scribes . * And at that very moment , there in their synagogue , a man in the grip of an unclean spirit shrieked out . * "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 ." * But Jesus rebuked him , saying . "Be quit ! Come out of him ." * So the unclean spirit , after tearing him , came out of him with a loud cry ; * and 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 ." * And at once his fame spread everywhere through that part of Galilee . * On leaving the synagogue they went at once with Jamesand Johnto the house of Simon and Andrew . * Now Simons mother-in-law lay sick of fever , and without delay they told him about her . * So he came and took her hand and raised her up . The fever left her at once , and she began to wait upon them . * At evening when the sun had set , people came and brought to him all the sick and demon-possessed , * and the whole town was gathered at the door . * He 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 . * In the morning he rose a great while before day and went out to a desert place , and there prayed . * And Simon and his companions hunted him up , * and told him , "Every one is looking for you ." * "Let us go away ," he answered , "to the neighboring country towns , that I may preach there , too ; because for that purpose I came forth ." * So he went throughout Galilee , preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons . * One 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 ." * Jesus , moved with compassion , put out his hand and touched him , saying , "I do choose , be clean !" * The leprosy at once left him , and he was made clean . * Jesus immediately sent him away , charging him sternly and saying . * "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 ." * But 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 .

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