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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."