8. (He said this because Jesus was saying, “Evil spirit, come out of this man!”)
9. So Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”The man answered, “My name is ‘Mob’ — there are so many of us!”
10. And he kept begging Jesus not to send the evil spirits out of that region.
11. There was a large herd of pigs near by, feeding on a hillside.
12. So the spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, and let us go into them.”
13. He let them go, and the evil spirits went out of the man and entered the pigs. The whole herd — about 2,000 pigs in all — rushed down the side of the cliff into the lake and was drowned.
14. The men who had been taking care of the pigs ran away and spread the news in the town and among the farms. People went out to see what had happened,
15. and when they came to Jesus, they saw the man who used to have the mob of demons in him. He was sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were all afraid.
16. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the man with the demons, and about the pigs.
17. So they asked Jesus to leave their territory.
18. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had had the demons begged him, “Let me go with you!”
19. But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he told him, “Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you.”
20. So the man left and went all through the Ten Towns, telling what Jesus had done for him. And all who heard it were amazed.
21. Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake. There at the lakeside a large crowd gathered round him.
22. Jairus, an official of the local synagogue, arrived, and when he saw Jesus, he threw himself down at his feet
23. and begged him earnestly, “My little daughter is very ill. Please come and place your hands on her, so that she will get well and live!”
24. Then Jesus started off with him. So many people were going along with Jesus that they were crowding him from every side.