1

Now it came about that while the people came pushing to be near him, and to have knowledge of the word of God, he was by a wide stretch of water named Gennesaret

2

And he saw two boats by the edge of the water, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.

3

And he got into one of the boats, the property of Simon, and made a request to him to go a little way out from the land. And being seated he gave the people teaching from the boat.

4

And when his talk was ended, he said to Simon, Go out into deep water, and let down your nets for fish.

5

And Simon, answering, said, Master, we were working all night and we took nothing: but at your word I will let down the nets.

6

And when they had done this, they got such a great number of fish that it seemed as if their nets would be broken

7

And they made signs to their friends in the other boat to come to their help. And they came, and the two boats were so full that they were going down.

8

But Simon, when he saw it, went down at the knees of Jesus and said, Go away from me, O Lord, for I am a sinner.

9

For he was full of wonder and so were all those who were with him, at the number of fish which they had taken

10

And so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were working with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear from this time forward you will be a fisher of men.

11

And when they had got their boats to the land, they gave up everything and went after him.