The Messiah’s Herald

The beginning(A) of the gospel(B) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a](C) As it is written in Isaiah(D) the prophet:[b](E)

See, I am sending my messenger(F) ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.[c][d] (G)
A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:(H)
Prepare the way for the Lord;(I)
make his paths straight![e](J)

John came baptizing[f](K) in the wilderness(L) and proclaiming a baptism of repentance(M) for the forgiveness(N) of sins.(O) The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem(P) were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan(Q) River, confessing(R) their sins.(S) John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts(T) and wild honey.(U)

He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful(V) than I am is coming after me.(W) I am not worthy(X) to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.(Y) I baptize you with[g] water,(Z) but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”(AA)

The Baptism of Jesus

In(AB) those days Jesus came from Nazareth(AC) in Galilee(AD) and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens(AE) being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice(AF) came from heaven:(AG) “You are my beloved(AH) Son;(AI) with you I am well-pleased.”(AJ)

The Temptation of Jesus

12 Immediately(AK) the Spirit(AL) drove(AM) him into the wilderness.(AN) 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted(AO) by Satan.(AP) He was with the wild animals,(AQ) and the angels(AR) were serving him.

Ministry in Galilee

14 After(AS) John was arrested,(AT) Jesus went to Galilee,(AU) proclaiming(AV) the good news[h][i](AW) of God:(AX) 15 “The time(AY) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God(AZ) has come(BA) near.(BB) Repent(BC) and believe(BD) the good news!”

The First Disciples

16 As(BE) he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee,(BF) he saw Simon(BG) and Andrew,(BH) Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea(BI)—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,”(BJ) Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for[j](BK) people.”(BL) 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed(BM) him.(BN) 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James(BO) the son of Zebedee(BP) and his brother John(BQ) 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.(BR)

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Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Some mss omit the Son of God
  2. 1:2 Other mss read in the prophets
  3. 1:2 Other mss add before you
  4. 1:2 Mal 3:1
  5. 1:3 Is 40:3
  6. 1:4 Or John the Baptist came
  7. 1:8 Or in
  8. 1:14 Other mss add of the kingdom
  9. 1:14 Or gospel
  10. 1:17 Or you to become fishers of

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