Mark1 (New International Version)

MK1:1  The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

MK1:2  It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"--

MK1:3  "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

MK1:4  And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

MK1:5  The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

MK1:6  John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

MK1:7  And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

MK1:8  I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

MK1:9  At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

MK1:10  As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

MK1:11  And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

MK1:12  At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,

MK1:13  and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

MK1:14  After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.

MK1:15  "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

MK1:16  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

MK1:17  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

MK1:18  At once they left their nets and followed him.

MK1:19  When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.

MK1:20  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

MK1:21  They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

MK1:22  The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

MK1:23  Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,

MK1:24  "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"

MK1:25  "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"

MK1:26  The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

MK1:27  The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."

MK1:28  News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

MK1:29  As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

MK1:30  Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.

MK1:31  So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

MK1:32  That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.

MK1:33  The whole town gathered at the door,

MK1:34  and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

MK1:35  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

MK1:36  Simon and his companions went to look for him,

MK1:37  and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

MK1:38  Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

MK1:39  So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

MK1:40  A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

MK1:41  Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

MK1:42  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

MK1:43  Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:

MK1:44  "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

MK1:45  Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.