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In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
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Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
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Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. 1 This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
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But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.
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But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.