Mark 1 (NMV)
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way."
3 "A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make His paths straight.'"
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 All the country of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And he preached, "After me comes someone more powerful than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to bend down and untie.
8 I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
9 In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 And immediately as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him out into the wilderness.
13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels were serving Him.
14 After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God,
15 and saying, "The appointed time has come, and the Kingdom of God has drawn near. Turn back to God and believe in the good news!"
16 As He was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
17 Jesus said to them, "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people."
18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
19 Going a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets.
20 Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
21 They went into Capernaum, and right away on the Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach.
22 They were amazed at His teaching, because He taught them as one who had authority, not like the scribes.
23 Just then, a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an unclean spirit cried out,
24 "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!"
25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet and come out of him!"
26 The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27 They were all amazed, and they began to ask each other, "What is this? A new teaching, and with authority! He commands even unclean spirits, and they obey Him!"
28 Immediately, His fame spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew.
30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, after the sun had set, people brought to Him all who were sick and demon-possessed.
33 The whole town was gathered at the door.
34 He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and He drove out many demons. But He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, went out, and made His way to a solitary place, and there He prayed.
36 Simon and his companions went searching for Him.
37 When they found Him, they said, "Everyone is looking for You!"
38 He said to them, "Let's go on to the nearby villages so that I may preach there also. That is why I have come."
39 So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
40 A man with a skin disease came to Him and, kneeling down, begged Him: "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand, touched him, and said, "I am willing. Be made clean."
42 Immediately the disease left him, and he was made clean.
43 Then Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:
44 "See that you say nothing to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."
45 But the man went out and began to proclaim it freely and spread the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed out in deserted places. Yet people kept coming to Him from everywhere.