Chapter 1

1. The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

2. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my angel before you, who will prepare your way before you.

3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.

4. John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

5. And all the country of Judah and the people of Jerusalem went out to him, and they were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6. And John wore a robe of camel's hair, and a leather girdle on his loins, and ate locusts and wild honey.

7. And he preached, saying, "The One who is stronger than I am is coming after me, from whom I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His shoe;

8. I baptized you with water, and he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

9. And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

10. And as he came up out of the water, immediately John saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

11. And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12. Immediately afterwards the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness.

13. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and he was with the beasts; and the angels ministered to him.

14. And after John had been betrayed, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God

15. and saying that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.

16. And as he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting their nets into the sea, for they were fishermen.

17. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

18. And immediately, leaving their nets, they followed him.