Luke 5:1-16 ▼

1 One day, as the people press'd after him to hear his divine preaching, he came near the lake of Gennesereth,

2 where he saw two vessels lying near shore: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 he went therefore aboard one of the vessels, which was Simon's, and desired him to bear away a little from land, then he sat down, and preached to the people from the ship.

4 having finished his sermon, he said to Simon, row into deep water, and throw out your nets for a draught.

5 master, said Simon, we have toil'd all the night, without any prize: however, since you give the word, I will throw the net.

6 which being done, they enclosed such a multitude of fish, the net began to break:

7 so they made a signal to their partners in the other ship to come and help them, accordingly they came, and loaded both the boats so with fish that they began to sink.

8 at sight of this, Simon Peter fell on his knees before Jesus, and said, Lord, withdraw from such a sinful man as I:

9 for he, and all the company were frightned at the draught of fish they had taken:

10 so was James too, and John, the sons of Zebedee, both partners with Simon, but Jesus said to Simon, be not afraid; for the future you shall fish for men.

11 then having brought their boats to shore, they left every thing, and followed him.

12 As he was going to one of the cities in that country, a man cover'd all over with leprosy happen'd to meet Jesus, and prostrating himself before him, thus address'd him, Lord, if you will, you can cure me.

13 then Jesus stretch'd out his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou cured, and immediately the leprosy disappear'd:

14 and he charg'd him not to tell any man: but go, said he, present your self to the priest, and offer what the law requires for your purification, that it may be an evidence to them.

15 in the mean time his fame spread so much the more, and a vast multitude flock'd to hear him, and to be cured of their diseases,

16 so that he retired into places of solitude, for the convenience of prayer.