Luke 5:1-11 ▼

1 IT came to pass when the people gath ered around him to hear the word of God, he stood on the shore of the lake of Gennesaret.

2 And he saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had got out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 One of them belonged to Simon Peter; so Jesus went up and sat in it, and he asked to row it a little way from the shore to the water. And he sat and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he was through speaking, he said to Simon, Row out to the deep, and cast your net for a catch.

5 Simon answered and said to him, Teacher, we have toiled all night, and have caught nothing; but just because of your word, I will cast the net.

6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great many fish; and their net was breaking.

7 So they signalled to their partners in the other boat, to come and help them. And when they came, they filled both the boats, till they were almost sinking.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell at the feet of Jesus, and said to him, I beg you, my Lord, leave me alone, for I am a sinful man.

9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, because of the catch of fish which they took.

10 So also was it with James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. But Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; from henceforth you will be catching men for life.

11 And they brought the boats to land, and left everything and followed him.