9 ¹⁰ On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done; and he took them with him and withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida. 9 ¹¹ But the crowds found out and followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who were in need of healing. 9 ¹² When evening was drawing on, the Twelve approached him and said, 'Send these people away; then they can go into the villages and farms round about to find food and lodging; for we are in a lonely place here.' 9 ¹³ 'Give them something to eat yourselves', he replied. But they said, 'All we have is five loaves and two fishes, nothing more—unless perhaps we ourselves are to go and buy provisions for all this company.' 9 ¹⁴ (There were about five thousand men.) He said to his disciples, 'Make them sit down in groups of fifty or so.' 9 ¹⁵ They did so and got them all seated. 9 ¹⁶ Then, taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 9 ¹⁷ They all ate to their hearts' content; and when the scraps they left were picked up, they filled twelve great baskets.