12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to
Galilee.13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum,
which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14 to fulfill what was said
through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the
Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee
of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in
darkness have
seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a
light has dawned.”[f]
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
9For this reason, since the
day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to
fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and
understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life
worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good
work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all
power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and
patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has
qualified you[a]
to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
5Young men, in the
same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves
with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.“[a]6Humble
yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due
time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled
and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because
you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind
of sufferings.
10And the God of all
grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a
little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.