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John the Baptist Prepares the Way
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
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as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—
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“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
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And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
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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.
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And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
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I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
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At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,
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and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
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Jesus Announces the Good News
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
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“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
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Jesus Calls His First Disciples
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.
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“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
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When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
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Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
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Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
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Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out,
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“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!”
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“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”
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The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
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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 impure spirits and they obey him.”
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Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
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Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
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.
