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¹ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the son of God. ² It is written in the prophet, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. ³ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." ⁴ accordingly, John baptized in the desart, and preach'd the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. ⁵ all Judea, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, went out to meet him, and having confess'd their sins, he baptized them in the river Jordan. ⁶ now John was clothed with camels hair, with a leathern girdle about his waist: and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁷ among other things he said, there comes one after me, who is superiour to me, I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his shoes. ⁸ I indeed have baptized you with water, but he shall baptize you with the effusion of the holy Ghost.

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan. ¹⁰ and as soon as he was got out of the water, he saw the heavens open, and the spirit lighting upon him, like a dove. ¹¹ when this voice from heaven was heard, "thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." ¹² presently after the spirit convey'd him into the desart. ¹³ where he continued forty days, being tempted by Satan: and when he was among the wild beasts, angels ministred unto him.

¹⁴ But after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, spreading the good news of the kingdom of the Messiah. ¹⁵ "the time, said he, is accomplish'd, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." ¹⁶ Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew his brother, casting their net into the sea: ¹⁷ (for they were fishers) and Jesus said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. ¹⁸ immediately they quitted their nets, and followed him. ¹⁹ when he had gone a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the bark mending their nets. whereupon he called them: ²⁰ and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the people he had hired, and went after him. ²¹ As soon as they were come to Capernaum, he entred into the synagogue, and it being the sabbath, instructed them. ²² and they were astonished at his manner of preaching: for he spoke with an air of authority, and not as the Scribes.

²³ now there was in their synagogue a demoniack, who cried out, ah, ²⁴ what have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to torment us? I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. ²⁵ and Jesus threatned him, be mute, said he, and come out. ²⁶ and when the unclean spirit had thrown him into convulsions, with a loud cry, he came out of him. ²⁷ at which they were all so amazed, that they ask'd one another, what's the meaning of all this? what new doctrine is here? for he commands with authority even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. ²⁸ upon this his fame immediately spread abroad over all the region of Galilee.

²⁹ As soon as they were come out of the synagogue, they went with James and John into the house of Simon and Andrew, ³⁰ where Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, who presently acquainted Jesus with it. ³¹ and he came, and taking her by the hand, lift her up; upon which the fever immediately left her, and she served them at table. ³² In the evening, when the sun was set, they brought to him many diseased, and several demoniacks. ³³ the whole town being assembled before the door. ³⁴ and he healed many that were variously affected with diseases, and cast out many demons, not allowing them to say that they knew him. ³⁵ On the morrow rising up, while it was yet dark, he went out, and retired into a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon, and the rest of his company, followed after him. ³⁷ and when they had found him, they said, the people are seeking for you. ³⁸ and he said unto them, let us go into the neighbouring villages, that I may preach there likewise, for that was the design of my coming. ³⁹ and he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.

⁴⁰ And there came a leper to him, who fell on his knees, and thus address'd him, "if you will, you can heal me." ⁴¹ Jesus then mov'd with compassion, held out his hand, and touching him, said, I will, be thou healed. ⁴² and while he was speaking, the leprosy left him in an instant, and he was cur'd. ⁴³ immediately Jesus sent him away, severely charging him, have a care, ⁴⁴ said he, how you take the least notice of this to any man: but go, show your self to the priest, and offer for your cure what Moses commanded, that this may serve as a testimony against them. ⁴⁵ but as soon as he was gone, he began freely to talk of it, and blazed it about every where, so that Jesus could not go publickly into the city any more, but stay'd in the out parts, which were not much frequented, where people came to him from every quarter.