The devil tests Jesus in the wilderness
1 Then Jesus returned from the Jordan River. He was full of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness. 2 He stayed there for 40 days and he did not eat anything. During this time the devil tried to cause Jesus to do wrong things. At the end of 40 days, Jesus was very hungry.
3 The devil said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, speak to this stone. Tell it to become bread.’
4 Jesus replied, ‘No! The Bible says that food alone cannot cause people to live.’
5 After that, the devil led Jesus up to a high place. In one moment, he showed Jesus all the kingdoms in the whole world. 6 He said to Jesus, ‘I will let you rule the whole world. I will give you power over all these things. That power all belongs to me. So I can give it to anyone that I choose. 7 You must bend down low and worship me. Then I will give you power over the whole world.’
8 Jesus replied, ‘No! The Bible says,
“Worship the Lord, your God.
He is the only one that you should serve.” ’
9 The devil now took Jesus to Jerusalem. He took him to stand on the highest part of the temple. Then he said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump down from here to the ground. 10 You know that the Bible says:
“God will tell his angels to keep you safe.
11 They will hold you safely in their hands.
They will not let you hurt your foot on a stone.” ’
12 Jesus replied, ‘No! The Bible says,
“Do not test the Lord your God, to see what he will do.” ’
13 In those ways, the devil tried to make Jesus do many wrong things. When he had finished this, he left Jesus alone. He waited for another chance.
