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The Gospel of Matthew  |   Next Chapter

1

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

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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 desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
 

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And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and 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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John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

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And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs 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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At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
 

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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 desert,

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and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

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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 is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
 

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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 make you fishers of men.”
 

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At once they left their nets and followed him.

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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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They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

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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 evil 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 evil 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 evil spirits and they obey him.”

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News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

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As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
 

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Simon’s motherinlaw was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.
 

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So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.  The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
 

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That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demonpossessed.
 

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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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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.

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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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So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
 

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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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Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.  “I am willing,” he said.  “Be clean!”

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Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

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Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:

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“See that you don’t tell this to anyone.  But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

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Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.  Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.