Peter, James, and John Follow Jesus

5 ¹Jesus stood beside Lake Gennesaret (Galilee). Many people pushed to get all around him. They wanted to hear the teachings of God. ²Jesus saw two boats at the shore of the lake. The fishermen were washing their nets. ³Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon.* Jesus asked Simon to push off a little from the shore. Then Jesus sat down in the boat and taught the people on the shore. ⁴Jesus finished speaking. He said to Simon,*"Take the boat into the deep water. If all of you will put your nets into the water, you will catch some fish." ⁵Simon* answered, "Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish, but we caught nothing. But you say I should put the nets into the water; so I will." ⁶The fishermen put their nets into the water. Their nets became so full of fish that the nets began to break. ⁷They called to their friends in the other boat to come and help them. The friends came, and both boats were filled so full of fish that they were almost sinking. ^8-9The fishermen were all amazed at the many fish they caught. When Simon Peter saw this, he bowed down before Jesus and said, "Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!" ¹⁰James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were amazed too. (James and John worked together with Simon.*) Jesus said to Simon,*"Don't be afraid. From now on you will work to gather people, [not fish]!" ¹¹The men brought their boats to the shore. They left everything and followed Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Sick Man

¹²One time Jesus was in a town where a very sick man lived. This man was covered with leprosy.* When the man saw Jesus, he bowed before Jesus and begged him, "Lord, heal me. I know you can if you want to." ¹³Jesus said, "I want to heal you. Be healed!" Then Jesus touched the man. Immediately the leprosy* disappeared. ¹⁴Then Jesus said, "Don't tell anyone about what happened. But go show yourself to the priest.* And offer a gift [to God] for your healing like Moses commanded. This will show people that you are healed." ¹⁵But the news about Jesus spread more and more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶Jesus often went away to other places to be alone so that he could pray.

Simon Simon's other name was Peter. leprosy A very bad skin disease. show yourself to the priest The law of Moses said a priest must say when a Jew with leprosy was well.