1 ¶ Now it came to pass, that, as the people were pressing around him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake: but the fishermen had gotten out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. And he sat down, and taught the people from the boat.

4 Now when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.

5 And Simon answered, Master, we have labored all night, and caught nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their nets began to brake.

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

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, as were all who were with him, at the catch of fish they had taken:

10 And so were James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.

11 And after they brought their boats to shore, they left everything, and followed him.

12 ¶ And it so happened, that when Jesus was in a certain city, a man full of leprosy: fell on his face when he saw Jesus, and begged him, saying, Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.

13 And Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be clean. And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, Do not tell anyone: but go, and show yourself to the priest, and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.

15 Yet his fame spread all the more: and large crowds came to hear him, and to be healed of their sicknesses.

16 But he regularly withdrew to secluded spots, and prayed.

17 ¶ One day, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting there, who had come from every town in Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal the sick.

18 And, some men brought a man who was paralyzed on a stretcher: and they tried to bring him in, to lay him before Jesus.

19 And when they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up onto the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.

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

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to think, Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

22 But when Jesus realized what they were thinking, he said to them, Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

23 Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or, Rise up and walk?

24 But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the paralyzed man,) I say to you, Get up, pick up your cot, and go home.

25 And immediately he stood up in front of them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went to his own house, glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen incredible things to day.

27 ¶ After this Jesus went out, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place where taxes were paid: and he said to him, Follow me.

28 And he left everything, got up, and followed him.

29 Then Levi held a big banquet for Jesus in his own house: and there were a large number of publicans and others seated with them.

30 But the Pharisees and those scribes who were Pharisees complained to his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

31 And Jesus answering said to them, Those who are well do not need a doctor; but those who are sick do.

32 I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

33 Then some of John’s followers said to him, The disciples of John often fast, and pray, and the disciples of the Pharisees do likewise; but yours eat and drink?

34 And he said to them, Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast, while he is with them?

35 But the time will come, when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast.

36 Moreover he went on to speak a parable to them; No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one; otherwise, he will both tear the new, and the patch taken from the new will not match the old.

37 And no man puts new wine into old leather bottles; otherwise the new wine would split the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles ruined.

38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; so both are preserved.

39 And no one after drinking old wine immediately wants new: for he says, The old is better.