Mark 1

1This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2The prophet Isaiah wrote: I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way.

3A voice is calling out in the desert: Get the way ready for the Lord. Make a straight road for him.

4So John came, baptizing in the desert and preaching that people should turn away from their sins and be baptized, so their sins would be forgiven.

5People from the whole land of Judea and the city of Jerusalem came out to John. They admitted their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

6John wore clothes made of camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

7This is what he preached: After me comes someone greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals.

8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.

10As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven torn open and the Spirit coming down on him like a dove.

11And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with you.

12Right away the Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert.

13He was in the desert forty days, and Satan tempted him. He was with the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the good news of God.

15He said: The time has come. God's kingdom is near. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news.

16As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the water, because they were fishermen.

17Jesus said to them: Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.

18At once they left their nets and followed him.

19Going a little farther, Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.

20Right away he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers and followed Jesus.

21They went to Capernaum. On the Sabbath, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, not like the teachers of the law.

23Just then a man with an evil spirit was in the synagogue. He cried out:

24What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!

25Jesus ordered the spirit: Be quiet! Come out of him!

26The evil spirit shook the man hard, gave a loud scream, and came out of him.

27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other: What is this? A new teaching — and with such authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him.

28News about Jesus spread quickly all over Galilee.

29As soon as they left the synagogue, Jesus and his disciples went to the home of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her right away.

31Jesus went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32That evening, after the sun went down, the people brought to Jesus all who were sick and all who had demons.

33The whole town gathered at the door.

34Jesus healed many people who had different kinds of sickness. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was.

35Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went off to a lonely place to pray.

36Simon and the others went to look for him.

37When they found him, they said: Everyone is looking for you!

38Jesus answered: Let us go somewhere else, to the nearby towns, so I can preach there too. That is why I have come.

39So he traveled all through Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons.

40A man with a skin disease came to Jesus and begged him on his knees: If you are willing, you can make me clean.

41Jesus felt sorry for the man. He reached out his hand and touched him. He said: I am willing. Be clean!

42At once the disease left the man, and he was clean.

43Jesus sent him away with a strong warning:

44See that you do not tell anyone. Go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the sacrifice that Moses commanded for your cleansing. This will be proof to the people.

45But the man went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news everywhere. As a result, Jesus could no longer go openly into a town. He stayed outside in lonely places, and people came to him from everywhere.