Luke 5:1-22 ▼

1 And it came to pass while the multitude was pressing on him to hear the word of God, and he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 that he saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered one of the ships, which was Simon's, and requested him to push out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitude from the ship.

4 And when he had made an end of speaking, he said to Simon: Push out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answered and said to him: Master, we have toiled all night and have caught nothing; but at thy command, I will let down the net.

6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great number of fishes, and their net began to break;

7 and they beckoned to their partners who were in the other ship, to come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 And when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, and said: Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.

9 For amazement at the draught of fishes which they had caught had seized upon him and all that were with him;

10 and in like manner also upon James and John the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon: Fear not; from this time forth you shall catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to the land, they left all and followed him.

12 And it came to pass, that he was in one of their cities; and 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.

13 And stretching out his hand, he touched him, and said: I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy departed from him.

14 And he charged him to tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and make offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, that it may be a testimony to them.

15 But his fame went abroad the more; and many multitudes came together to hear, and to be cured by him of their infirmities.

16 And he withdrew to the deserts and prayed.

17 And it came to pass, on a certain day, that he was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was exerted to heal them.

18 And behold, men brought, on a bed, a man who was a paralytic. And they sought how they might bring him in, and lay him before him.

19 And finding no way by which they could bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up on the top of the house, and, through the tiling, let him down, with his bed, into the midst before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said to him: Man, your sins are forgiven you.

21 And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying: Who is this that utters impious words? Who can forgive sins but God alone?

22 But Jesus perceived their reasonings, and answered and said to them: Why are you reasoning in your hearts?