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- The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
- It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"--
- "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
- And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
- 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.
- 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.
- I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
- At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
- 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."
- At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,
- and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
- After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
- "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.
- "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
- At once they left their nets and followed him.
- When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
- 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.
- The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
- Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,
- "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!"
- "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.
- 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."
- News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
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