1Now it happened, as he stood by the lake Gennesaret, the multitude pressing upon him to hear the word of God; 2that seeing two barks aground, near the shore, the fishermen having landed to wash their nets, 3he went aboard one of them, which was Simon's; and desiring him to put off a little from the land, sat down, and taught the people out of the bark. 4When he had done speaking, he said to Simon, Launch out into deep water, and let down your nets for a draught. 5Simon answered, Master, we have toiled all night, and have caught nothing; nevertheless, at your word, I will let down the net. 6Having done this, they inclosed such a multitude of fishes, that the net began to break. 7And they beckoned to their companions, in the other bark, to come and help them. And they came, and loaded both their barks, so that they were near sinking. 8When Simon Peter saw this, he threw himself at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. 9For the draught of fishes which they had taken had filled him and all his companions with terror, 10particularly James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not, henceforth you shall catch men. 11And having brought their barks to land, they forsook all, and followed him. 12When he was in one of the neighboring cities, a man covered with leprosy, happened to see him, threw himself on his face, and besought him, saying, Master, if you will, you can cleanse me. 13Jesus stretching out his hand, and touching him, said, I will; be you cleansed. That instant his leprosy departed from him. 14And he commanded him to tell no person. But go, said he, show yourself to the priest, and present the offered appointed by Moses, for notifying the people that you are cleansed. 15Yet so much the more was Jesus everywhere talked of, that vast multitudes flocked to hear him, and to be cured by him of their maladies. 16And he withdrew into solitary places, and prayed. 17One day, as he was teaching, and Pharisees, and doctors of law, who had come from Jerusalem, and from every town of Galilee and Judea, were sitting by, the power of the Lord was exerted in the sure of the sick. 18And, behold, some men carrying on a bed a man afflicted with a palsy, endeavored to bring him in, and place him before Jesus; 19but finding it impracticable, by reason of the crowd, they got upon the roof, and let him down through the tiling, with the little bed, in the midst before him. 20Jesus perceiving their faith, said, Man, your sins are forgiven you. 21On which the Scribes and the Pharisees reasoned thus, Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Can any one forgive sins except God? 22Jesus knowing their thoughts, addressed himself to them, and said, What are you reasoning in your hearts? 23Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and walk? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, Arise, said he to the palsied man, take up your bed, and return to your house. 25That instant he rose in their presence, took up his bed, and returned home, glorifying God. 26Seeing this, they were all struck with amazement and reverence, and glorified God, saying, We have seen wonderful things today. 27After this, he went out, and observing a publican, named Levi, sitting at the toll-office, said to him, Follow me. 28And he arose, left all, and followed him. 29And Levi made him a great entertainment in his own house, where there was a great company of publicans and others, at table with them. 30But the Scribes and the Pharisees of the place murmured, saying to his disciples, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31Jesus answering, said to them, It is not the healthy, but the sick, who need a physician. 32I am come to call, not the righteous, but sinners, to reformation. 33Then they asked him, How is it that the disciples of John, and likewise those of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but yours eat and drink? 34He answered, Would you have the bridesmen fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them: in those days they will fast. 36He added this similitude, No man mends an old mantle with new cloth; otherwise the new will rend the old; besides, the old and new will never suit each other. 37No person puts new wine into old leather bottles; otherwise, the new wine will burst the bottles, and thus the wine will be spoiled, and the bottles rendered useless. 38But if new wine be put into new bottles, both will be preserved. 39Besides, a man, after drinking old wine, calls not immediately for new; for he says, The old is milder.