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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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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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Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
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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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At once they left their nets and followed him.
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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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The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
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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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News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
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The whole town gathered at the door,
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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.
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Simon and his companions went to look for him,
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and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
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Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
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Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
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Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
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Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
