Demons Driven Out by the Master
26 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
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When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs.
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When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, "What do You have to do with me, Jesus, You Son of the Most High God? I beg You, don't torment me!"
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For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and although he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.
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"What is your name?" Jesus asked him. "Legion," he said-because many demons had entered him.
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And they begged Him not to banish them to the abyss.
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A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.
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The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
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When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside.
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Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
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Meanwhile the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered.
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Then all the people of the Gerasene region asked Him to leave them, because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned.
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The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said,
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"Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you." And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.
A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed
40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they were all expecting Him.
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Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house,
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because he had an only daughter about 12 years old, and she was at death's door. While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him.
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A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any,
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approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped.
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"Who touched Me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You."
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"Somebody did touch Me," said Jesus. "I know that power has gone out from Me."
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When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured.
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"Daughter," He said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
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While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader's [house], saying, "Your daughter is dead. Don't bother the Teacher anymore."
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When Jesus heard it, He answered him, "Don't be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well."
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After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child's father and mother.
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Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But He said, "Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep."
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They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead.
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So He took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up!"
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Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat.
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Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.