Mark 1

1The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ.

2It happened just as it is written in the prophet Isaiah: “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will make your road ready. 3A voice is calling out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, straighten the roads he will travel.’” 4Then John the Baptizer came on the scene in the wilderness, calling people to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of their sins. 5The whole land of Judea and everyone from Jerusalem kept going out to him. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. He lived on locusts and wild honey. 7This was his message: “Someone stronger than I am is coming after me. I am not fit even to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8The baptism I gave you was with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9It was during those days that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan. 10The moment he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. 11Then a voice spoke from heaven: “You are my dearly loved Son. I take delight in you.”

12Straight away the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. 13He stayed in the wilderness for forty days while Satan tempted him. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.

14After John had been handed over, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming God’s gospel. 15“The appointed time has arrived in full,” he said, “and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16As Jesus went along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Simon’s brother Andrew throwing a net into the water. They fished for a living. 17Jesus said to them, “Come and follow me. I will make you into fishers of people.” 18They dropped their nets on the spot and followed him. 19He went on a little way and saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat putting their nets in order. 20He called them at once. Leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, they went off after him.

21They made their way to Capernaum. On the Sabbath he went straight into the synagogue and taught there. 22His teaching astounded them. Unlike the scribes, he taught them as someone who has authority. 23Right then, in their synagogue, there was a man with an unclean spirit, and he screamed, 24“What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are: God’s Holy One!” 25Jesus ordered it sternly, “Silence! Come out of the man!” 26The unclean spirit threw the man into a fit, gave a loud shriek, and left him. 27Amazement seized them all, and they talked it over among themselves: “What is this? A new kind of teaching, backed by authority! At his command even the unclean spirits do as they are told.” 28The news about him went out at once in every direction, through all the country around Galilee.

29They left the synagogue and went straight to the house where Simon and Andrew lived, and James and John came with them. 30Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and they lost no time in telling him about her. 31He came over, took hold of her hand, and lifted her up. Her fever was gone, and she started to look after them.

32When evening came and the sun had set, people began bringing to him everyone who was ill or controlled by demons. 33The entire town had crowded together outside the door. 34He cured many people who had diseases of every kind, and he threw out many demons. He did not permit the demons to say anything, since they knew him.

35Long before daylight, he got up and went out. He went off to a lonely place and spent time there in prayer. 36Simon and the others with him tracked him down. 37Finding him, they said, “Everybody is out looking for you!” 38He replied, “Let us move on to the market towns nearby, so that I can proclaim the message there as well. This is what I came out to do.” 39He went into their synagogues all over Galilee, where he proclaimed the message and threw out demons.

40A man with a serious skin disease came to him. Falling on his knees, he pleaded with him, “If you are willing, you have the power to make me clean.” 41Stirred with anger, he stretched out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean!” 42In that moment the disease was gone from him, and he was clean. 43Jesus gave him a stern warning and sent him away at once. 44“Be sure you tell no one about this,” he said. “Instead, go and let the priest examine you. Then offer what Moses required for your cleansing. That will be evidence to them.” 45But the man went off and began telling everyone, spreading the news of what had happened, so much that Jesus could not go into any town openly anymore. He kept to deserted places out in the country, and still people came to him from every direction.