After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God.

"Turn away from your sins," he said, "because the Kingdom of heaven is near!"

Go and find out what is meant by the scripture that says: 'It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.' I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts."

Go and preach, 'The Kingdom of heaven is near!'

"The right time has come," he said, "and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!"

I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts."

Then he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick,

'Even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. But remember that the Kingdom of God has come near you!'

"How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you too, Bethsaida! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago sat down, put on sackcloth, and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins!

In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent.

In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents."

and in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do,

When they heard this, they stopped their criticism and praised God, saying, "Then God has given to the Gentiles also the opportunity to repent and live!"

God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways.

To Jews and Gentiles alike I gave solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus.

First in Damascus and in Jerusalem and then in the whole country of Israel and among the Gentiles, I preached that they must repent of their sins and turn to God and do the things that would show they had repented.

who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth.

And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

Let us go forward, then, to mature teaching and leave behind us the first lessons of the Christian message. We should not lay again the foundation of turning away from useless works and believing in God;

From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.

And Jesus concluded, "Listen, then, if you have ears!"

Jesus answered, "The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field.

"Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Some fishermen throw their net out in the lake and catch all kinds of fish.

"At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.