4
He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him.
5
Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.
6
When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him -
7
then bellowed in protest, "What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don't give me a hard time!"
8
(Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, "Out! Get out of the man!")
9
Jesus asked him, "Tell me your name."
10
Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country.
11
A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill.
12
The demons begged him, "Send us to the pigs so we can live in them."
13
Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.
14
Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. Everyone wanted to see what had happened.