28
When he saw Jesus he screamed, fell before him, and bellowed, "What business do you have messing with me? You're Jesus, Son of the High God, but don't give me a hard time!"
29
(The man said this because Jesus had started to order the unclean spirit out of him.) Time after time the demon threw the man into convulsions. He had been placed under constant guard and tied with chains and shackles, but crazed and driven wild by the demon, he would shatter the bonds.
30
Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
31
And they begged Jesus desperately not to order them to the bottomless pit.
32
A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged Jesus to order them into the pigs. He gave the order.
33
It was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the lake and drowned.
34
Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country.
35
People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had been sent, sitting there at Jesus' feet, wearing decent clothes and making sense. It was a holy moment, and for a short time they were more reverent than curious.
36
Then those who had seen it happen told how the demoniac had been saved.
37
Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave - too much change, too fast, and they were scared. So Jesus got back in the boat and set off.
38
The man whom he had delivered from the demons asked to go with him, but he sent him back, saying,