1Now it came to pass , while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God , that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret ; 2and he saw two boats standing by the lake : but the fishermen had gone out of them , and were washing their nets . 3And he entered into one of the boats , which was Simon ’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land . And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat . 4And when he had left speaking , he said unto Simon , Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answered and said , Master , we toiled all night , and took nothing : but at thy word I will let down the nets . 6And when they had done this , they inclosed a great multitude of fishes ; and their nets were breaking; 7and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat , that they should come and help them . And they came , and filled both the boats , so that they began to sink . 8But Simon Peter , when he saw it , fell down at Jesus ’ knees , saying , Depart from me ; for I am a sinful man, O Lord . 9For he was amazed , and all that were with him , at the draught of the fishes which they had taken ; 10and so were also James and John , sons of Zebedee , who were partners with Simon . And Jesus said unto Simon , Fear not ; from henceforth thou shalt catch men . 11And when they had brought their boats to land , they left all , and followed him .
Jesus Heals a Leper
12And it came to pass , while he was in one of the cities , behold , a man full of leprosy : and when he saw Jesus , he fell on his face , and besought him , saying , Lord , if thou wilt , thou canst make me clean . 13And he stretched forth his hand , and touched him , saying , I will ; be thou made clean . And straightway the leprosy departed from him . 14And he charged him to tell no man : but go thy way , and show thyself to the priest , and offer for thy cleansing , according as Moses commanded , for a testimony unto them . 15But so much the more went abroad the report concerning him : and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities. 16But he withdrew himself in the deserts , and prayed .
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17And it came to pass on one of those days , that he was teaching ; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by , who were come out of every village of Galilee and Judæa and Jerusalem : and the power of the Lord was with him to heal . 18And behold , men bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring him in , and to lay him before him . 19And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude , they went up to the housetop , and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus . 20And seeing their faith , he said , Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason , saying , Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone ? 22But Jesus perceiving their reasonings , answered and said unto them , Why reason ye in your hearts ? 23Which is easier , to say , Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say , Arise and walk ? 24But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins ( he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise , and take up thy couch , and go unto thy house . 25And immediately he rose up before them , and took up that whereon he lay , and departed to his house , glorifying God . 26And amazement took hold on all , and they glorified God ; and they were filled with fear , saying , We have seen strange things to-day.
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats with Sinners
27And after these things he went forth , and beheld a publican , named Levi , sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him , Follow me . 28And he forsook all , and rose up and followed him . 29And Levi made him a great feast in his house : and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them . 30And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples , saying , Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners? 31And Jesus answering said unto them , They that are in health have no need of a physician ; but they that are sick . 32I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance .
A Question about Fasting
33And they said unto him , The disciples of John fast often , and make supplications ; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees ; but thine eat and drink . 34And Jesus said unto them , Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast , while the bridegroom is with them ? 35But the days will come ; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them , then will they fast in those days . 36And he spake also a parable unto them : No man rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon an old garment ; else he will rend the new , and also the piece from the new will not agree with the old . 37And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled , and the skins will perish. 38But new wine must be put into fresh wine-skins. 39And no man having drunk old wine desireth new ; for he saith , The old is good .