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1

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert.  There the devil tempted him.
 

2

After 40 days and 40 nights of going without eating, Jesus was hungry.
 

3

The tempter came to him.  He said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
 

4

Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man doesn’t live only on bread.  He also lives on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

5

Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city.  He had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
 

6

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.  It is written, ‘The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you.  They will lift you up in their hands.  Then you won’t trip over a stone.’ ” (Psalm 91:11,12)
 

7

Jesus answered him, “It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” (Deuteronomy 6:16)
 

8

Finally, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain.  He showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
 

9

“If you bow down and worship me,” he said, “I will give you all of this.”
 

10

Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan!  It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God.  He is the only one you should serve.’ ” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
 

11

Then the devil left Jesus.  Angels came and took care of him. 

12

John had been put in prison.  When Jesus heard about this, he returned to Galilee.
 

13

Jesus left Nazareth.  He went to live in the city of Capernaum.  It was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali.
 

14

In that way, what the prophet Isaiah had said came true.  He had said,
 

15

“Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!  Galilee, where non Jewish people live!  Land along the Mediterranean Sea! Territory east of the Jordan River!
 

16

The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light.  They are now living in a very dark land.  But a light will shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:1,2)
 

17

From that time on Jesus began to preach.  “Turn away from your sins!” he said.  “The kingdom of heaven is near.”
 

18

One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee.  There he saw two brothers.  They were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were throwing a net into the lake.  They were fishermen.
 

19

“Come.  Follow me,” Jesus said.  “I will make you fishers of people.”
 

20

At once they left their nets and followed him.

21

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers.  They were James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.  They were in a boat with their father Zebedee.  As they were preparing their nets, Jesus called out to them.
 

22

Right away they left the boat and their father and followed Jesus. 
 

23

Jesus went all over Galilee.  There he taught in the synagogues. He preached the good news of God’s kingdom.  He healed every illness and sickness the people had.
 

24

News about him spread all over Syria.  People brought to him all who were ill with different kinds of sicknesses.  Some were suffering great pain.  Others were controlled by demons.  Some were shaking wildly.  Others couldn’t move at all.  And Jesus healed all of them.
 

25

Large crowds followed him.  Some people came from Galilee, from the area known as the Ten Cities, and from Jerusalem and Judea.  Others came from the area across the Jordan River.