The Good News According to Mark
[1:1] The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [1:2] As it is written in the prophets,
"Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.[*] [1:3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"[*]
[1:4] John came [baptizing] in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. [1:5] All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. [1:6] John was clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. [1:7] He preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. [1:8] I baptized you [in] water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."
[1:9] It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [1:10] Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. [1:11] A voice came out of the sky, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
[1:12] Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. [1:13] He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving him.
[1:14] Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God, [1:15] and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News."
[1:16] Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. [1:17] Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men."