The Barefoot Evangelist

Jesus is tempted

4  The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. ² After Jesus had gone without eating for 40 days and nights, he was very hungry. ³ Then the devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to turn into bread.”

⁴  Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say:

‘No one can live only on food.
People need every word
    that God has spoken.’ ”

⁵ Next, the devil took Jesus into the holy city to the highest part of the temple. ⁶  The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. The Scriptures say:

‘God will give his angels
    orders about you.
They will catch you
    in their arms,
and you won’t hurt
    your feet on the stones.’ ”

⁷  Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’ ”

⁸ Finally, the devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms on earth and their power. ⁹ The devil said to him, “I will give all this to you, if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰  Jesus answered, “Go away Satan! The Scriptures say:

‘Worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’ ”

¹¹ Then the devil left Jesus, and angels came to help him.