The preaching of John the Baptist. Christ is baptized by him. He calls
his disciples and works many miracles.
1:1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
1:2. As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel
before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
1:3. A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the
Lord; make straight his paths.
1:4. John was in the desert, baptizing and preaching the baptism of
penance, unto remission of sins.
1:5. And there went out to him all the country of Judea and all they of
Jerusalem and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing
their sins.
1:6. And John was clothed camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his
loins: and he ate locusts and wild honey.
1:7. And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than
I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
1:8. I have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the
Holy Ghost.
1:9. And it came to pass, in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee and was baptized by John in Jordan.
1:10. And forthwith coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens open
and the Spirit as a dove descending and remaining on him.
1:11. And there came a voice from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in
thee I am well pleased.
1:12. And immediately the Spirit drove him out into the desert.
1:13. And he was in the desert forty days and forty nights, and was
tempted by Satan. And he was with beasts: and the angels ministered to
him.
1:14. And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came in Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
1:15. And saying: The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at
hand. Repent and believe the gospel:
1:16. And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his
brother, casting nets into the sea for they were fishermen.
1:17. And Jesus said to them: Come after me; and I will make you to
become fishers of men.
1:18. And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him.
1:19. And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son
of Zebedee and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in
the ship:
1:20. And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in
the ship with his hired men, they followed him.
1:21. And they entered into Capharnaum: and forthwith upon the sabbath
days going into the synagogue, he taught them.
1:22. And they were astonished at his doctrine. For he was teaching
them as one having power, and not as the scribes.
1:23. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;
and he cried out,
1:24. Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou
come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God.
1:25. And Jesus threatened him, saying: Speak no more, and go out of
the man.
1:26. And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying out with a loud
voice, went out of him.
1:27. And they were all amazed insomuch that they questioned among
themselves, saying: What thing is this? What is this new doctrine? For
with power he commandeth even the unclean spirits: and they obey him.
1:28. And the fame of him was spread forthwith into all the country of
Galilee.
1:29. And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the
house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
1:30. And Simon's wife's mother lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith
they tell him of her.
1:31. And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and
immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
1:32. And when it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all
that were ill and that were possessed with devils.
1:33. And all the city was gathered together at the door.
1:34. And he healed many that were troubled with divers diseases. And
he cast out many devils: and he suffered them not to speak, because
they knew him.
1:35. And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place:
and there he prayed.
1:36. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
1:37. And when they had found him, they said to him: All seek for thee.
1:38. And he saith to them: Let us go into the neighbouring towns and
cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come.
1:39. And he was preaching in their synagogues and in all Galilee and
casting out devils.
1:40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him and kneeling down,
said to him: If thou wilt thou canst make me clean.
1:41. And Jesus, having compassion on him, stretched forth his hand and
touching him saith to him: I will. Be thou made clean.
1:42. And when he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from
him: and he was made clean.
1:43. And he strictly charged him and forthwith sent him away.
1:44. And he saith to him: See thou tell no one; but go, shew thyself
to the high priest and offer for thy cleansing the things that Moses
commanded, for a testimony to them.
1:45. But he being gone out, began to publish and to blaze abroad the
word: so that he could not openly go into the city. but was without in
desert places. And they flocked to him from all sides.