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The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophets: "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you." The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, making his paths straight."

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness and preached a message of repentance for forgiveness of sins. People from all over Judea and Jerusalem came to him as he baptized them in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

John wore camel's hair clothing and a leather belt around his waist, eating locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "There is one who will come after me, mightier than I. I am not worthy even to loosen the straps of his sandals." John baptized with water, but he declared that Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

During those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. As soon as Jesus emerged from the water, he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. A voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

The Holy Spirit immediately drove Jesus into the wilderness where he fasted for forty days, being tempted by Satan. During that time, angels ministered to him.

After John was imprisoned, Jesus began preaching in Galilee, announcing the good news of God's kingdom: "The time has come! The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe this good news."

As Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, his brothers, casting a net into the sea because they were fishermen. He called out to them, saying, "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of people." They immediately left their nets and followed him.

Jesus went a little farther and saw James and John, Zebedee's sons, mending their nets in their boat. He called them as well, leaving their father with the hired workers to follow Jesus.

They entered Capernaum on the Sabbath day, and Jesus taught in the synagogue. People were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority, unlike the scribes. A man with an unclean spirit was present in the synagogue, crying out: "Leave us alone! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? You've come to destroy us."

Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet and come out of him." When the unclean spirit had torn the man and cried out loudly, it came out of him. Everyone was amazed, wondering what this new teaching was all about. Jesus commanded the unclean spirits with authority, and they obeyed.

Immediately his fame spread throughout Galilee as people realized he was teaching with divine authority. As soon as they left the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew, along with James and John. They told him that Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a fever.

Jesus took her by the hand, lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. She began serving them. In the evening, people brought to Jesus all those who were sick and possessed by demons. The whole city gathered at his house.

He healed many people of various diseases and cast out many demons, but he did not let them speak about it because they knew him. Early in the morning, while still dark, Jesus rose up and went to a solitary place to pray. Simon and those with him followed him there.

They found him praying, and said, "Everyone is looking for you." Jesus replied, "Let's go into the next towns so I can preach there as well. That's why I came out."

Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, casting out demons. A leper approached him on his knees, begging to be cleansed. Moved with compassion, Jesus touched the man and said, "I will; be clean." Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was healed.

Jesus ordered the man to keep it secret and sent him away immediately. He told him to go show himself to the priest and offer what Moses commanded as a testimony to them. However, the man went out and began spreading the news widely. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter the city openly but had to stay in isolated areas because people came to him from all directions.