Mark 1:1-20

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it has been written by the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, I send my Angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths." John was in the desert, baptizing and preaching a baptism of repentance, as a remission of sins. And there went out to him all the region of Judea and all those of Jerusalem, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying: "A stronger one comes after me. I am not worthy to reach down and loosen the laces of his shoes. I have baptized you with water. Yet truly, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." And it happened that, in those days, Jesus arrived from Nazareth of Galilee. And he was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, upon ascending from the water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit, like a dove, descending, and remaining with him. And there was a voice from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased." And immediately the Spirit prompted him into the desert. And he was in the desert for forty days and forty nights. And he was tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the Angels ministered to him. Then, after John was handed over, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying: "For the time has been fulfilled and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent and believe in the Gospel." And passing by the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew, casting nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." And at once abandoning their nets, they followed him. And continuing on a little ways from there, he saw James of Zebedee and his brother John, and they were mending their nets in a boat. And immediately he called them. And leaving behind their father Zebedee in the boat with his hired hands, they followed him.