5 ¹² He was once in a certain town where there happened to be a man covered with leprosy; seeing Jesus, he bowed to the ground and begged his help. 'Sir,' he said, 'if only you will, you can cleanse me.' 5 ¹³ Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, 'Indeed I will; be clean again.' The leprosy left him immediately. 5 ¹⁴ Jesus then ordered him not to tell anybody. 'But go,' he said, 'show yourself to the priest, and make the offering laid down by Moses for your cleansing; that will certify the cure.' 5 ¹⁵ But the talk about him spread all the more; great crowds gathered to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. 5 ¹⁶ And from time to time he would withdraw to lonely places for prayer.