38 And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preachy there too. This is why I have come.”

A MAN CLEANSED

39 He went into all of Galilee,z preaching in their synagoguesaa and driving out demons. 40 Thenab a man with leprosy* ac came to him and, on his knees,C,ad begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”ae 41 Moved with compassion,D,af Jesus reached out his hand and touchedag him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosyah left him, and he was made clean. 43 Then he sternly warnedai him and sent him awayaj at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone;ak but go and showal yourself to the priest,am and offeran what Moses commanded for your cleansing,ao as a testimonyap to them.”E 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaimaq it widely and to spread the news,ar with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.