1:1 The beginning of the gospel 1 of Jesus Christ, 2 the Son of God. 3 1:2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 4
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way, 5
1:3 the voice of one shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make 6 his paths straight.’” 7
1:4 In the wilderness 8 John the baptizer 9 began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 10 1:5 People 11 from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem 12 were going out to him, and he was baptizing them 13 in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 1:6 John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 14 1:7 He proclaimed, 15 “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy 16 to bend down and untie the strap 17 of his sandals. 1:8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
1:9 Now 18 in those days Jesus came from Nazareth 19 in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 20 1:10 And just as Jesus 21 was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens 22 splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 23 1:11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my one dear Son; 24 in you I take great delight.” 25 1:12 The Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness. 1:13 He was in the wilderness forty days, 26 enduring temptations from Satan. He 27 was with wild animals, and angels were ministering to his needs. 28