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1:23
Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue:
1:24
“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
1:25
But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!”
1:26
At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek.
1:27
All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!”
1:28
And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee.
1:29
As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
1:30
Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her.
1:31
So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
1:32
That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed,
1:33
and the whole town gathered at the door.
1:34
And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
1:35
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.
1:36
Simon and his companions went to look for Him,
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and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”
1:38
But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.”
1:39
So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
1:40
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
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Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!”
1:42
And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.
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Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning:
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“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
1:45
But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.