1It was at that time that reports about Jesus reached the ears of Prince Herod. 'This is John the Baptist,' 2he said to his attendants; 'John has been raised to life, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.'
3NOW HEROD had arrested John, put him in chains, and thrown him into prison, on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; 4for John had told him: 'You have no right to her.' 5Herod would have liked to put him to death, but he was afraid of the people, in whose eyes John was a prophet. 6But at his birthday celebrations the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests, and Herod was so delighted 7that he took an oath to give her anything she cared to ask. 8Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist.' 9The king was deeply distressed when he heard it; but out of regard for his oath and for his guests, he ordered the request to be granted, 10and had John beheaded in prison. 11The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl; and she carried it to her mother. 12Then John's disciples came and took away the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.
13WHEN HE HEARD what had happened Jesus withdrew privately by boat to a lonely place; but people heard of it, and came after him in crowds by land from the towns. 14When he came ashore, he saw a great crowd; his heart went out to them, and he cured those of them who were sick. 15When it grew late the disciples came up to him and said, 'This is a lonely place, and the day has gone; send the people off to the villages to buy themselves food.' 16He answered, 'There is no need for them to go; give them something to eat yourselves.' 17'All we have here', they said, 'is five loaves and two fishes.' 18'Let me have them', he replied. 19So he told the people to sit down on the grass; then, taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate to their hearts' content; and the scraps left over, which they picked up, were enough to fill twelve great baskets. 21Some five thousand men shared in this meal, to say nothing of women and children.
22Then he made the disciples embark and go on ahead to the other side, while he sent the people away; 23after doing that, he went up the hill-side to pray alone. It grew late, and he was there by himself. 24The boat was already some furlongs from the shore , battling with a head-wind and a rough sea. 25Between three and six in the morning he came to them, walking over the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were so shaken that they cried out in terror: 'It is a ghost!' 27But at once he spoke to them: 'Take heart! It is I; do not be afraid.'
28Peter called to him: 'Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you over the water.' 'Come', said Jesus. 29Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked over the water towards Jesus. 30But when he saw the strength of the gale he was seized with fear; and beginning to sink, he cried, 'Save me, Lord.' 31Jesus at once reached out and caught hold of him, and said, 'Why did you hesitate? How little faith you have!' 32They then climbed into the boat; and the wind dropped. 33And the men in the boat fell at his feet, exclaiming, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'
34So they finished the crossing and came to land at Gennesaret. 35There Jesus was recognized by the people of the place, who sent out word to all the country round. And all who were ill were brought to him, 36and he was begged to allow them simply to touch the edge of his cloak. And everyone who touched it was completely cured.
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