31. Jesus left the region around Tyre and went by way of Sidon towards Lake Galilee. He went through the land near the ten cities known as Decapolis.
32. Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk. They begged Jesus just to touch him.
33. After Jesus had taken him aside from the crowd, he stuck his fingers in the man's ears. Then he spat and put the spit on the man's tongue.
34. Jesus looked up towards heaven, and with a groan he said, “Effatha!” which means “Open up!”
35. At once the man could hear, and he had no more trouble talking clearly.
36. Jesus told the people not to say anything about what he had done. But the more he told them, the more they talked about it.
37. They were completely amazed and said, “Everything he does is good! He even heals people who cannot hear or talk.”