Mark 1:1-45 CEB

[1] The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, [2] happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, [3] a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” [4] John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. [5] Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. [6] John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. [7] He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. [8] I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” [9] About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. [10] While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. [11] And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” [12] At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. [13] He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. [14] After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, [15] saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” [16] As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. [17] “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” [18] Right away, they left their nets and followed him. [19] After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. [20] At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers. [21] Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. [22] The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. [23] Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, [24] “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.” [25] “Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” [26] The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out. [27] Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” [28] Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee. [29] After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. [30] Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. [31] He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them. [32] That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. [33] The whole town gathered near the door. [34] He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they recognized him. [35] Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer. [36] Simon and those with him tracked him down. [37] When they found him, they told him, “Everyone’s looking for you!” [38] He replied, “Let’s head in the other direction, to the nearby villages, so that I can preach there too. That’s why I’ve come.” [39] He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and throwing out demons. [40] A man with a skin disease approached Jesus, fell to his knees, and begged, “If you want, you can make me clean.” [41] Incensed, Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do want to. Be clean.” [42] Instantly, the skin disease left him, and he was clean. [43] Sternly, Jesus sent him away, [44] saying, “Don’t say anything to anyone. Instead, go and show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifice for your cleansing that Moses commanded. This will be a testimony to them.” [45] Instead, he went out and started talking freely and spreading the news so that Jesus wasn’t able to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, but people came to him from everywhere.