The first of the Gospels about Jesus the Anointed, the Son of God

As written in the Book Containing the Writings of the Prophets – “I am sending My messenger ahead of You to prepare the ground for You” and

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the ground for the Self-existent; make straight pathway for Him” –

John came performing sacred washing in the wilderness and preaching sacred washing upon repentance for the remission of sins.

Consequently, all the region of Judah, including the people of the habitation of prosperity - Jerusalem - went to him and sacred washing was performed on all of them inside the River Jordan, as they confessed their sins.

John wore camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist; his food was locusts and wild honey. 

In his preaching, he told the people: “Someone more powerful than I will come to limelight after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals.

I perform sacred washing on you with water, but He will perform sacred washing on you with holy spirit [breath] — the breath of the Holy Spirit.”

In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and sacred washing was performed on Him by John in the Jordan. 

As soon as He came up out of the water, he [John] saw the sky torn open and God the Holy Spirit descending on Him like doves descend;

and a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take great delight in You!

Immediately, the Holy Spirit led Him to go to the wilderness.

He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals and celestial-messengers attended to Him.

After John was imprisoned, Jesus returned to Galilee, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God:

The era of the kingdom of God is due; it is close by. Repent; believe the good news!

As He was passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two fishermen, Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea.

Follow Me, Jesus told them, and I will make you fish for people!

Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him. 

Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother, John. They were in their boat mending their nets.

Immediately He called them, they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat, with the hired men, and followed Him.

From there, they headed for Capernaum and right away, He entered the assembly hall, being the weekly sacred day, and began to teach.

They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.

A man with an unclean spirit was in the assembly hall that day; he cried out,

“What concerns You with us, Jesus, the Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!”

Jesus rebuked him, Be quiet and come out of him!

The unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice and came out of him.

Then they were all amazed, so they began to ask one another: “What is this? A new teaching! With authority, He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him.”

News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.

As soon as they left the assembly hall, they went into Simon’s and Andrew’s house with James and John.

Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever and they told Him about her outright. 

He went to her, took her by the hand and lifted her up. The fever left her and she served them.

In the evening, they brought all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed to Him.

The whole town assembled at the door;

He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons, although He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

In the early hours of the day, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, made His way to a deserted place and prayed there. 

Simon and his companions went searching for Him,

found Him and said, “Everyone is looking for You!”

Jesus said to them, Let’s go to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.

Like that, He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their assembly halls and driving out demons.

Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. I am willing, He told him, be made clean.

Immediately, the disease disappeared from his body; he was healed..

As He sent him away, He warned him sternly: 

Ensure that you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest and offer what Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.

Despite that, he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter the town openly: He was out in deserted places; and they went to Him from everywhere.