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.
15
They came up to Jesus and saw the madman sitting there wearing decent clothes and making sense, no longer a walking madhouse of a man.
16
Those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs.
17
At first they were in awe - and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back.