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.
17 At another time, as he
was teaching, it happened
that some Pharisees, and
doctors of the law were sitting
by, who came from the
several towns of Galilee and
Judea, and from Jerusalem:
when the power of the Lord
appear'd in their relief.
18 for
instance, they brought a man
in his bed lying sick of the
palsy: and try'd to. bring
him directly into his presence.
19 but when they found it impracticable
to bring him in
through the crowd, they
went up the gallery to the
leads, and let him down
-- --
through the ceiling in his bed
among the company, where
Jesus was,
20 who perceiving
their faith, said to him, O!
man, your sins are forgiven
you.
21 upon which the Scribes
and Pharisees objected among
themselves, saying, what a
man is this to blaspheme
thus? who can forgive sins
but God alone?
22 but Jesus
perceiving their reflexions,
said to them, what do you
mean by such insinuations?
23 which is easier, to say, your
sins are forgiven you, or to
say, rise up, and walk?
24 but that ye may know, that
the son of man hath power
to forgive sins, rise, said he,
to the paralytick, 'tis I
command you, take up your
bed, and go home.
25 immediately
he started up before
them all, took up the bed,
where he lay, and went
home, glorifying God.
26 at
this they were all seized with
astonishment, and gave thanks
to God, crying out with great
reverence, what a wonderful
instance of power have
we seen this day!
27 After this Jesus left the
place, and seeing a publican
named Levi, sitting at the
custom-house, he said to
him, follow me.
28 immediately
he rose up, left all his
affairs, and became his disciple.
-- --
29 Levi having prepared
a handsom entertainment
in his own house for him, a
great number of publicans,
and others, were likewise at
table.
30 but the Scribes and
Pharisees of that place reproach'd
his disciples, and
said, why do ye eat and
drink with publicans and
scandalous people?
31 but Jesus
replied, they that are in
health don't want a physician:
but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call saints,
but sinners to repentance.
Then they ask'd him, how
comes it that John's disciples,
33
and likewise those of the
Pharisees, are frequently
fasting and praying, while
yours are employed in eating
and drinking?
34 to which
he answered, would you
have the bridemen fast, while
the bridegroom is with them?
35 however, the time will come,
when the bridegroom shall
be taken away from them,
and then they will have occasions
enow of fasting.
36 Besides, he applied this
similitude to them. no man,
said he, puts a piece of new
cloth upon an old coat: if
he does, the new will strain
the old, and they will by no
means suit one another.
37 nor
will any one put new wine
-- --
into old skins: if they do,
the new wine will burst the
skins, and wine and skins be
all lost.
38 but new wine must
be put into new skins, and
both will be preserv'd.
39 so
no-body that has been drinking
old wine, will immediately
call for new: for 'tis
his maxim, “the old is
best.”
Mace [1729], THE NEW TESTAMENT IN Greek and English. Containing the ORIGINAL TEXT Corrected from the Authority of the most Authentic Manuscripts: AND A NEW VERSION Form'd agreeably to the Illustrations of the most Learned Commentators and Critics: WITH NOTES and VARIOUS READINGS, AND A Copious Alphabetical Index (Printed for J. ROBERTS [etc.], LONDON) [word count] [B11200].