Mark 9:14-29

14They reached the place where the other disciples were. They saw that there was a large crowd there with them. Some teachers of God's Law were arguing with the disciples.

15The people in the crowd saw Jesus and immediately they were very surprised. They ran to say ‘hello’ to Jesus.

16Jesus asked his disciples, ‘What are you arguing about with the teachers of God's Law?’

17A man in the crowd answered. He said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to you. He is not able to speak because he has a bad spirit.

18When the bad spirit takes hold of him, it throws him to the ground. Water comes out of his mouth and he bites his teeth together. Then his body stops moving. I asked your disciples to send the spirit out of him. But they were not able to do it.’

19Jesus replied, ‘You people today still do not believe in God. I have been with you for a long time and still you do not believe. It is difficult for me to be patient with you. Bring the boy to me.’

20So the people brought the boy to Jesus. When the bad spirit saw Jesus, it immediately caused the boy's body to shake strongly. The boy fell onto the ground and he rolled about. Water was coming from his mouth.

21Jesus asked the boy's father, ‘How long has he been like this?’ ‘He has been like this since he was a small boy,’ the father replied.

22‘Often the spirit has caused him to fall into the fire or into water. It is trying to kill him. Please be kind to us. If you can do anything, help us!’

23Jesus said to the father, ‘You should not say, “If you can do anything.” Everything is possible for those people who believe.’

24Immediately, the boy's father shouted, ‘Oh! I believe! Help me to believe more!’

25Jesus saw that the crowd of people was quickly becoming bigger. So he told the bad spirit to stop. Jesus said to it, ‘Spirit, I am telling you that you must leave this boy. He cannot hear or speak because of you. I tell you to come out of him! You must never go into him again.’

26The spirit screamed. It caused the boy's body to shake many times. Then it came out of him. The boy seemed to be dead, so many people said, ‘He is dead.’

27But Jesus held the boy's hand and he helped the boy to stand up.

28Jesus went into a house and the disciples were alone with him. Then they asked him, ‘Why could we not cause the bad spirit to leave the boy?’

29Jesus said to them, ‘You must pray. This kind of spirit will not leave a person unless you pray.’