1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,1 5:1 That is, Sea of Galilee with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, |
2 he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. |
3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. |
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down2 5:4 The Greek verb is plural. the nets for a catch." |
5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." |
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. |
7 So they signaled their partners 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 this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" |
9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, |
10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. |
11 Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. |
