Matthew 8:1-4 - A Leper Cleansed

¹ When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. ² A leper came to him and bowed down before him, saying: Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.

³ He reached out his hand and touched him, saying: I want to. Be made clean. Right away his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴ Jesus told him not to tell anyone. Show yourself to the priests and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy knelt in front of Jesus and begged to be healed. If you want to, you can make me well, he said.

⁴¹ Moved with compassion Jesus touched him. I want to, he said. Be healed! ⁴² Instantly the leprosy disappeared and man was healed. ⁴³ Jesus sent him away and warned him. Go directly to the priest and let him examine you. ⁴⁴ Do not talk to anyone along the way. Take the offering the Law of Moses requires for those healed of leprosy. That way everyone will have proof of your healing. ⁴⁵ But the man gave a public account of his healing everywhere he went. Soon crowds surrounded Jesus and he could not enter a town publicly. He had to stay in secluded places and people continued to come to him.

¹² One time while he was in one of the cities a man full of leprosy fell on his face before Jesus. He said: Lord, if you want to you can make me clean.

¹³ He stretched forth his hand and touched him, saying: I want to, be made clean. Immediately the leprosy departed from him. ¹⁴ He told him to tell no one and go and show himself to the priest. Then he was to make a cleansing offering, just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

¹⁵ The news about him spread far away and large crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. ¹⁶ He withdrew to a quiet place and prayed.