27 When Jesus stepped out of the boat onto the shore, a demon-possessed man from the town came to meet him. For a long time he hadn’t worn any clothes or lived in a house. He lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus he screamed, fell down at Jesus' feet, and asked in a loud voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please don’t torture me, I beg you!" 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to leave the man. It had often seized him, and despite being tied down with chains and shackles, and placed under guard, he would break the chains apart and would be driven by the demon into the desert areas.

30 "What is your name?" Jesus asked him. "Legion,"*8:30. Or "many." he replied, for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged Jesus not to order them to go into the Abyss.*8:31. "The depths," or "bottomless pit." 32 There was a large herd of pigs feeding on the nearby hillside, and the demons begged him to be allowed to go into the pigs. Jesus gave them permission, 33 so the demons left the man and entered the pigs. The herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and drowned.

34 When the pig-keepers saw what had happened they ran off and spread the news through the town and the countryside. 35 The people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus they found the man freed from the demons. He was sitting there at Jesus' feet, wearing clothes and in his right mind; and they became scared.