Mark 1 New International Version (NIV)
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
The [ beginning ] of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, [ as it is written in Isaiah the prophet ]:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
[ who will prepare your way ]”—
“a voice of one [ calling in the wilderness ],
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, [ preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins ]. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. [ Confessing their sins ], they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore [ clothing ] [ made of camel’s hair ], with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one [ (who is) more powerful { than I (am powerful) } ], [ the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy { to stoop down and untie } ].
------------------------------------------------------------AAhh, I have gotten so tired with this little [ writing ]. Now I am going to continue.
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism and [ Testing ] of Jesus
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water ], he saw [ heaven being torn open ] and [ the Spirit descending on him like a dove ].
And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, [ whom I love ]; with you I am well pleased.”( I wonder doubtfully [ if it happened literally]. )
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, [ being tempted by Satan ]. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Jesus Announces the Good News
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, [ proclaiming the good news of God ]. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
[ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee ], he saw [ Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake ], for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out [ to fish for people ].” At once they left their nets and followed him.
[ When he had gone a little farther ], he saw [ James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets ]. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the [ hired ] men and followed him.
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
They went to Capernaum, and [ when the Sabbath came ], Jesus went into the synagogue and began [ to teach (people) ]. The people were amazed at his [ teaching ], [ because he taught them as one { who had authority }, not as the teachers of the law ]. Just then a man in their synagogue [ who was possessed by an impure spirit ] cried out, “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!”
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
The people were all so amazed [ that they asked each other ], “What is this? A new [ teaching ]—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
[As soon as they left the synagogue ], they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began [ to wait on them ].
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick (persons) and demon-[ possessed ] (persons). The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many [ who had various diseases ]. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let [ the demons speak ][ because they knew { who he was } ].
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, [ where he prayed ]. Simon and his companions went [ to look for him ], and [ when they found him ], they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, “Let [ us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—{ so I can preach there also } ]. That is [ why I have come ].” So he traveled throughout Galilee, [ preaching in their synagogues ] and [ driving out demons ]. (Have people with demons truely been cleared of the demon possessness?)
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “[ If you are willing ], you can make [ me (be) clean ].”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (Wow, leprosy has been cleansed.)
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong [ warning ]: “See [ that you don’t tell this to anyone ]. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices [ that Moses commanded for your { cleansing } ], as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began [ to talk freely ], [ spreading the news ]. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901)
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Canadian Rockies, Asulkan Glacier
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Sorya soryo. kokoja kyoo hajimete futari-no obaasann-to chi~ta matomo-ni
hanashi-ga dek-ita.
That is or has been the way.
At here for the first time since my entry in this aged handicapped house,
I could get [ to talk with two aged women ].
For almost 10 months I was forsaken alone in this house.
It is autumn sunny day.