Gift from Creator Tells the Good Story 4

TESTED BY THE EVIL TRICKSTER

1Creator Sets Free (Jesus) followed the guidance of the Spirit, who took him into the desert wilderness to be tested by Accuser (Satan), the evil trickster snake.

In the story of creation, the first man and woman lived in a Garden of Beauty and Harmony. A sly and crafty snake came to them and twisted the words of the Great Spirit to deceive them. They listened to the snake, lost the life of beauty and harmony, and fell under the curse of death. This snake, who opposes Creator’s good road, is the evil spirit who rules over all evil spirits.

2For forty days and nights Creator Sets Free (Jesus) ate nothing. His body became weak, and his hunger grew strong.

3 When the evil snake saw that Creator Sets Free (Jesus)was weak and hungry, he came to him and whispered in his ear.

“Are you the Son of the Great Spirit?” he hissed. “Prove it by turning these stones into frybread.”

4“The Sacred Teachings are clear,” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) said. “Human beings cannot live only on frybread, but on all the words that come from the mouth of the Great Spirit.”#4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3

5The evil trickster then took him to the Great Spirit’s sacred lodge in Village of Peace (Jerusalem). He set him at the very top, high above the village.

6“Prove you are the Son of the Great Spirit and jump down from here!” the evil snake taunted him. “Do not the Sacred Teachings also say, ‘His spirit-messengers will watch over you to keep you from harm. They will even keep your foot from hitting a stone’#4:6 Psalm 91:11-12?”

7“Yes,” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) said back to him, “but they also say, ‘Do not test the Great Spirit.’#4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16”

8Once more the evil trickster took him to a high mountain and showed him all the great nations of the world with their power and beauty.

9“All of these I will give you,” the snake said smoothly, “if you will highly honor me and walk in my ways!”

10“Get away from me, Accuser (Satan)!” he responded. “For it is written in the Sacred Teachings, ‘The Great Spirit is the only one to honor and serve.’#4:10 Deuteronomy 6:13”

11The evil trickster could think of nothing more to test him with, so he slithered away to wait for another time.

Then spirit-messengers came to give comfort and strength to Creator Sets Free (Jesus).

GIFT OF GOODWILL JAILED

12After that, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) heard that Gift of Goodwill (John) was put in jail, so he left that place to return to Circle of Nations (Galilee). 13He left his home in Seed Planter Village (Nazareth) and went to live in Village of Comfort (Capernaum) by the sea. This was in the territory of the tribes of Honored Dwelling (Zebulun) and He Will Wrestle (Naphtali).

14The ancient prophecy of Creator Will Help Us (Isaiah) had finally found its full meaning. 15“In the territory of the tribes of Honored Dwelling (Zebulun) and He Will Wrestle (Naphtali), toward the great waters to Circle of Nations (Galilee) where many Nations dwell— 16the ones who sit in darkness, where death casts a great shadow, have seen the light of a new sunrise.”#4:16 Isaiah 9:1-2

THE GOOD ROAD IS CLOSE

17From that time forward Creator Sets Free (Jesus) began to speak out, “Creator’s good road from above is close. It is time to change your thinking and begin your great journey.”

HIS FIRST FOLLOWERS

18Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was walking by the shoreline of Lake of Circle of Nations (Sea of Galilee) when he saw two fishermen throwing out their nets. They were One Who Hears (Simon), also named Stands on the Rock (Peter), and his brother Stands with Courage (Andrew).

19He said to them, “Come, walk the road with me, and I will show you how to fish in a new way—for two-leggeds.”

20They dropped their nets right then and became his followers.

21As Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was leaving, he saw two other brothers, He Takes Over (James) and He Shows Goodwill (John), the sons of Gift of Creator (Zebedee). They were sitting with their father in a canoe getting their nets ready for fishing. 22Creator Sets Free (Jesus) called out to them, and they dropped their nets, left their father, and also became his followers.

WALKING THE GOOD ROAD

23Creator Sets Free (Jesus) traveled throughout Circle of Nations (Galilee). He was teaching in their gathering houses and telling everyone the good story of Creator’s good road. He was healing the people of every kind of sickness and disease. 24His reputation as a healer spread as far as Bright Sun (Syria). Then they brought to him the ones tormented with evil spirits, along with people who suffered from seizures, and he healed them. He even healed the crippled and paralyzed among them.

25Large crowds from all directions began to seek after him—too many to number! They came from Circle of Nations (Galilee) and Ten Villages (Decapolis), and from Village of Peace (Jerusalem), and the Land of Promise (Judea), and from beyond the river Flowing Down (Jordan).

Currently Selected:

Gift from Creator Tells the Good Story 4: FNVNT

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Learn More About First Nations Version

Matthew 4

The Temptation of Jesus

1Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry. 3And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’ ”

5Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple. 6And he said [mockingly] to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command His angels concerning You [to serve, care for, protect and watch over You]’;

and

‘They will lift you up on their hands,

So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”

7Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’ ”

8Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; 9and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” 11Then the devil left Him; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him].

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12Now when Jesus heard that John [the Baptist] had been arrested and put in prison, He left for Galilee. 13And leaving Nazareth, He went and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the country of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

15“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee [in the district] of the Gentiles—

16The people who were sitting (living) in [spiritual] darkness have seen a great Light,

And for those who were sitting (living) in the land and shadow of [spiritual and moral] death,

Upon them a Light has dawned.”

17From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “#Jesus’ public ministry began at this time and He was preaching the same message John the Baptist had proclaimed.Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The First Disciples

18As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19And He said to them, “#The concept of “follow” can represent three separate possibilities: in the early stages of His ministry, (1) walking with Him physically (literally), that is, merely being in His presence regardless of personal belief or commitment, (2) accepting and identifying with the salvation He offered; and later on, (3) being identified with Him by being subject to the scorn and rejection of unbelievers because of personal belief and commitment to Him.Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.” 20Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example]. 21And going on [further] from there He noticed two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father #Zebedee’s wife, Salome, is believed to be the sister of Jesus’ mother Mary.Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them [to follow Him as His disciples]. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].

Ministry in Galilee

23And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people [demonstrating and revealing that He was indeed the promised Messiah].

24So the news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were sick, those suffering with various diseases and pains, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the #The district of the ten Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) cities east of the Sea of Galilee.Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and the other side of the Jordan.

Currently Selected:

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Amplified® Bible

The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631

Learn More About Amplified Bible