Mark 1:1-45 CSB

[1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [2] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. [3] A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! [4] John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. [6] John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. [7] He proclaimed, "One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. [8] I baptize 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 in the Jordan by John. [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 heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased." [12] Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. [13] He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him. [14] After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: [15] "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" [16] As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. [17] "Follow me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fish for people." [18] Immediately they left their nets and followed him. [19] Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. [20] Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. [21] They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. [22] They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes. [23] Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, [24] "What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!" [25] Jesus rebuked him saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" [26] And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. [27] They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." [28] At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee. [29] As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. [30] Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. [31] So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. [32] When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. [33] The whole town was assembled at the door, [34] and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. [35] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. [36] Simon and his companions searched for him, [37] and when they found him they said, "Everyone is looking for you." [38] And he said to them, "Let's go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come." [39] He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. [40] Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." [41] Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. "I am willing," he told him. "Be made clean." [42] Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. [43] Then he sternly warned him and sent him away at once, [44] telling him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." [45] Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.