Mark 1 - NIV Translation

(Mark 1:2 NIV) It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"--

(Mark 1:3 NIV) "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

(Mark 1:4 NIV) And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

(Mark 1:5 NIV) 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.

(Mark 1:6 NIV) John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

(Mark 1:7 NIV) 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.

(Mark 1:8 NIV) I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

(Mark 1:9 NIV) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

(Mark 1:10 NIV) As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

(Mark 1:11 NIV) And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

(Mark 1:12 NIV) At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,

(Mark 1:13 NIV) and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

(Mark 1:14 NIV) After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.

(Mark 1:15 NIV) "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

(Mark 1:16 NIV) 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.

(Mark 1:17 NIV) "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

(Mark 1:18 NIV) At once they left their nets and followed him.

(Mark 1:19 NIV) When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.

(Mark 1:20 NIV) Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

(Mark 1:21 NIV) They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

(Mark 1:22 NIV) The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

(Mark 1:23 NIV) Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,

(Mark 1:24 NIV) "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!"

(Mark 1:25 NIV) "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"

(Mark 1:26 NIV) The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

(Mark 1:27 NIV) 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."

(Mark 1:28 NIV) News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

(Mark 1:29 NIV) As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

(Mark 1:30 NIV) Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.

(Mark 1:31 NIV) So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

(Mark 1:32 NIV) That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.

(Mark 1:33 NIV) The whole town gathered at the door,

(Mark 1:34 NIV) 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.

(Mark 1:35 NIV) 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.

(Mark 1:36 NIV) Simon and his companions went to look for him,

(Mark 1:37 NIV) and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

(Mark 1:38 NIV) Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

(Mark 1:39 NIV) So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

(Mark 1:40 NIV) A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

(Mark 1:41 NIV) Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

(Mark 1:42 NIV) Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

(Mark 1:43 NIV) Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:

(Mark 1:44 NIV) "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."

(Mark 1:45 NIV) 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.