The Kingdom Is Coming Now

1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua ha-Mashiach, Ben-Elohim. ² As Isaiah the prophet has written,

⁴ John appeared, immersing in the wilderness, proclaiming an immersion involving repentance for the removal of sins. ⁵ All the Judean countryside was going out to him, and all the Jerusalemites. As they confessed their sins, they were being immersed by him in the Jordan River.

⁶ John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ “After me comes One who is mightier than I am,” he proclaimed. “I’m not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals! ⁸ I immersed you with water, but He will immerse you in the Ruach ha-Kodesh.”^[c]

The Spirit Rests on Yeshua

⁹ In those days, Yeshua came from Natzeret in the Galilee and was immersed by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as He was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens ripping open and the Ruach as a dove coming down upon Him. ¹¹ And there came a voice from the heavens: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased!”^[d]

¹² That instant, the Ruach drives Him into the wilderness. ¹³ He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by satan. And He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were taking care of Him.

Fishermen Follow Him

¹⁴ Now after John was put in jail, Yeshua came into the Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God. ¹⁵ “Now is the fullness of time,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins, and believe in the Good News!”

¹⁶ Passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Simon’s brother Andrew casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Yeshua said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ¹⁸ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

¹⁹ Going a little farther, He saw Jacob the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired hands and followed Him.

¹² At once the man got up, took his mat, and walked before them all. They were all astonished and glorified God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”^[a]