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¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, ² and said to his servants, this is John the baptist, he is risen from the dead, and consequently is invested with miraculous power. ³ for Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. ⁴ for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her. ⁵ he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet. ⁶ but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod, ⁷ that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask; ⁸ who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger. ⁹ and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her. ¹⁰ and pursuant to order, John was beheaded in the prison, ¹¹ whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother. ¹² upon which, his disciples came to take away the body, and having buried it, they went to tell Jesus what had happened.

¹³ When Jesus heard that, he embark'd, to retire privately to a desert place: of which the people being inform'd, they followed him on foot out of the cities. ¹⁴ as Jesus landed, he saw a great multitude, and was touch'd with compassion towards them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵ At evening his disciples came to him, saying, this is a desert place, and dinner-time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go to buy themselves provisions in the villages. ¹⁶ but Jesus said to them, that's needless, let them eat what you have. ¹⁷ we have nothing here, said they, but five loaves, and two fishes. ¹⁸ bring them hither, said he. ¹⁹ then giving orders for the company to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks; then breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the company: who all of them eat, ²⁰ and were filled: and they carried away twelve baskets full of fragments that were left. ²¹ now they that had eaten, were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

²² Presently after Jesus obliged his disciples to embark, and cross over to the other side before him, whilst he dismiss'd the people. ²³ and when he had dismiss'd them, he retired by himself to a mountain to pray: where he stay'd all alone till the latter part of the evening. ²⁴ by this time the vessel was half sea over, violently toss'd with the waves, for the wind was contrary. ²⁵ at the dawn of day, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. ²⁶ the disciples seeing him walking on the sea, cry'd out in a fright, an apparition; and they scream'd for fear. ²⁷ but Jesus immediately call'd to them, take courage, said he, it is I, don't be afraid. ²⁸ Peter answered, Lord, said he, if it be you, bid me come upon the water to you. ²⁹ Jesus said, come. and Peter getting out of the ship, walk'd on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ but finding the wind boisterous, he was afraid: and beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me. ³¹ immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught him, diffident man, said he, why were you in suspence? ³² and when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ³³ then they that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, of a truth thou art the son of God.

³⁴ When they were over, they came into the territory of Gennesaret. ³⁵ where being known by the people of that place, they sent about all that country, and presented to him all that were diseased, ³⁶ praying him to let them only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touch'd it were made perfectly whole.