Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

They came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. When Jesus had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met him from among the tombs.

The man had made his home among the tombs and was known for being so violent that no one could bind him, not even with chains. He had been frequently restrained with fetters and chains, but they were no match for him as he would break them apart and shatter the bonds that held him. Day and night, he cried out and cut himself with stones in the mountains and among the tombs.

When Jesus saw the man from afar, he ran to meet him, falling down at his feet and worshipping him. The man cried out with a loud voice, "What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you by God, do not torment me." Jesus replied, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit."

The man asked Jesus, "What is thy name?" and he answered, saying, "My name is Legion: for we are many." The demons begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of the country. Nearby, a large herd of pigs was feeding on the mountainside.

The demons begged Jesus, "Send us into the pigs," and he immediately gave them permission. The unclean spirits rushed out of the man and into the pigs, which then stampeded violently down a steep place into the sea. About two thousand pigs were choked in the sea as they drowned.

Those who fed the pigs fled and reported what had happened in the city and the countryside. People came to see what was happening, and when they arrived, they saw Jesus with the man who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind – even him who had been called Legion. The people were afraid.

They told others about the man who had been possessed by demons and how he had been healed, as well as about the swine that had drowned. People began to beg Jesus to leave their region, but the man who had been healed begged him to stay with him.

However, Jesus did not allow it, saying instead, "Go home to your friends and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you and has had compassion on you." The man departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard his story was amazed at the great things God had done.

As Jesus crossed over again by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him near the sea. One of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus, fell at Jesus' feet and begged him earnestly to come and lay hands on his little daughter who was dying.

Jesus went with Jairus, accompanied by many people pressing in on all sides. Meanwhile, a woman had been suffering from an issue of blood for twelve years and had spent all her resources trying different treatments without improvement. She touched Jesus' garment as he passed through the crowd behind him.

She said to herself, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be completely healed." And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Jesus immediately knew that power had gone out of him and turned around in the crowd to ask, "Who touched my clothes?" His disciples asked why he would ask such a question when there were so many people pressing in on him.

But Jesus looked around to see who had touched him. The woman was afraid and trembling, knowing what had been done in her. She came forward and fell down before Jesus, telling him all the truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be completely restored from your affliction."

Just then, some people arrived from Jairus' house and told Jesus that his daughter had died. They asked why he should bother with them anymore. But Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; simply believe." He allowed only Peter, James, and John to follow him into Jairus' house.

When they arrived, there was a great commotion inside, and many people were weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus asked them why they made such a disturbance, saying that the girl was not dead but sleeping. They laughed at him, but when he had put everyone out of the house, he took the father and mother of the girl and entered where she lay.

He took her hand and said, "Talitha cumi" – which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up." And immediately the girl got up and began walking because she was twelve years old. Everyone was utterly amazed at this miracle.

Jesus instructed them to keep it secret and ordered the girl something to eat.