1 Por aquele tempo Herodes, o tetrarca, ouviu os relatos a respeito de Jesus2 e disse aos que o serviam: "Este é João Batista; ele ressuscitou dos mortos! Por isso estão operando nele poderes miraculosos".3 Pois Herodes havia prendido e amarrado João, colocando-o na prisão por causa de Herodias, mulher de Filipe, seu irmão,4 porquanto João lhe dizia: "Não te é permitido viver com ela".5 Herodes queria matá-lo, mas tinha medo do povo, porque este o considerava profeta.6 No aniversário de Herodes, a filha de Herodias dançou diante de todos, e agradou tanto a Herodes7 que ele prometeu sob juramento dar-lhe o que ela pedisse.8 Influenciada por sua mãe, ela disse: "Dá-me aqui, num prato, a cabeça de João Batista".9 O rei ficou aflito, mas, por causa dos juramento e dos convidados, ordenou que lhe fosse dado o que ela pedia10 e mandou decapitar João na prisão.11 Sua cabeça foi levada num prato e entregue à jovem, que a levou à sua mãe.12 Os discípulos de João vieram, levaram o seu corpo e o sepultaram. Depois foram contar isso a Jesus.13 Ouvindo o que havia ocorrido, Jesus retirou-se de barco em particular para um lugar deserto. As multidões, ao ouvirem falar disso, saíram das cidades e o seguiram a pé.14 Quando Jesus saiu do barco e viu tão grande multidão, teve compaixão deles e curou os seus doentes.15 Ao cair da tarde, os discípulos aproximaram-se dele e disseram: "Este é um lugar deserto, e já está ficando tarde. Manda embora a multidão para que possam ir aos povoados comprar comida".16 Respondeu Jesus: "Eles não precisam ir. Dêem-lhes vocês algo para comer".17 Eles lhe disseram: "Tudo o que temos aqui são cinco pães e dois peixes".18 "Tragam-nos aqui para mim", disse ele.19 E ordenou que a multidão se assentasse na grama. Tomando os cinco pães e os dois peixes e, olhando para o céu, deu graças e partiu os pães. Em seguida, deu-os aos discípulos, e estes à multidão.20 Todos comeram e ficaram satisfeitos, e os discípulos recolheram doze cestos cheios de pedaços que sobraram.21 Os que comeram foram cerca de cinco mil homens, sem contar mulheres e crianças.22 Logo em seguida, Jesus insistiu com os discípulos para que entrassem no barco e fossem adiante dele para o outro lado, enquanto ele despedia a multidão.23 Tendo despedido a multidão, subiu sozinho a um monte para orar. Ao anoitecer, ele estava ali sozinho,24 mas o barco já estava a considerável distância da terra, fustigado pelas ondas, porque o vento soprava contra ele.25 Alta madrugada, Jesus dirigiu-se a eles, andando sobre o mar.26 Quando o viram andando sobre o mar, ficaram aterrorizados e disseram: "É um fantasma! " E gritaram de medo.27 Mas Jesus imediatamente lhes disse: "Coragem! Sou eu. Não tenham medo! "28 "Senhor", disse Pedro, "se és tu, manda-me ir ao teu encontro por sobre as águas".29 "Venha", respondeu ele. Então Pedro saiu do barco, andou sobre a água e foi na direção de Jesus.30 Mas, quando reparou no vento, ficou com medo e, começando a afundar, gritou: "Senhor, salva-me! "31 Imediatamente Jesus estendeu a mão e o segurou. E disse: "Homem de pequena fé, porque você duvidou? "32 Quando entraram no barco, o vento cessou.33 Então os que estavam no barco o adoraram, dizendo: "Verdadeiramente tu és o Filho de Deus".34 Depois de atravessarem o mar, chegaram a Genesaré.35 Quando os homens daquele lugar reconheceram Jesus, espalharam a notícia em toda aquela região e lhe trouxeram os seus doentes.36 Suplicavam-lhe que apenas pudessem tocar na borda do seu manto; e todos os que nele tocaram foram curados.

1 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,2 and he said to his courtiers, »This is John the Baptist: he has come back to life–and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him.«3 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,4 because John had persistently said to him, »It is not lawful for you to have her.«5 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod7 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.8 So she, instigated by her mother, said, »Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist.«9 The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her,10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.11 The head was brought on a dish and given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother.12 Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus.13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land.14 So Jesus went out and saw an immense multitude, and felt compassion for them, and cured those of them who were out of health.15 But when evening was come, the disciples came to Him and said, »This is an uninhabited place, and the best of the day is now gone; send the people away to go into the villages and buy something to eat.«16 »They need not go away,« replied Jesus; »you yourselves must give them something to eat.«17 »We have nothing here,« they said, »but five loaves and a couple of fish.«18 »Bring them here to me,« He said,19 and He told all the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and after looking up to heaven and blessing them, He broke up the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the people.20 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.21 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children.22 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people.23 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone.24 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse.25 But towards daybreak He went to them, walking over the waves.26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the waves, they were greatly alarmed. »It is a spirit,« they exclaimed, and they cried out with terror.27 But instantly Jesus spoke to them, and said, »There is no danger; it is I; do not be afraid.«28 »Master,« answered Peter, »if it is you, bid me come to you upon the water.«29 »Come,« said Jesus. Then Peter climbed down from the boat and walked upon the water to go to Him.30 But when he felt the wind he grew frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, »Master, save me.«31 Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, »O little faith, why did you doubt?«32 So they climbed into the boat, and the wind lulled;33 and the men on board fell down before him and said, »You are indeed God's Son.«34 When they had quite crossed over, they put ashore at Gennesaret;35 and the men of the place, recognizing Him, sent word into all the country round. So they brought all the sick to Him,36 and they entreated Him that they might but touch the tassel of His outer garment; and all who did so were restored to perfect health.