1 Logo depois disto, Jesus saiu daquela parte do país e voltou com os discípulos para Nazaré, a sua terra.2 No sábado seguinte, foi à sinagoga ensinar, e o povo, vendo nele apenas o seu conterrâneo, estava admirado com a sua sabedoria e milagres3 De onde lhe veio toda esta sabedoria e poder para realizar tais milagres?, dizia-se. Não passa de um carpinteiro, filho de Maria e irmão de Tiago, José, Judas e Simão. As suas irmãs moram aqui mesmo, nesta localidade. E estavam escandalizados e não acreditavam nele.4 Então Jesus disse-lhes: Um profeta é honrado em qualquer lugar menos na sua terra, entre o seus parentes e no meio da própria família5 Por não acreditarem nele, Jesus não pôde fazer ali nenhum grande milagre, a não ser pôr as mãos sobre alguns doentes e curá-los./6 A Jesus custava-lhe que não quisessem acreditar em si e, saindo dali, foi ensinar pelas aldeias.7 Juntando os doze discípulos, mandou-os de dois em dois, com o poder de expulsar demónios.8 Disse-lhes que nada levassem consigo a não ser o bordão; nem comida, nem mochila, nem dinheiro, nem mesmo uma muda de roupa, nem calçado, além das sandálias.10 Fiquem sempre na mesma casa em cada terra, enquanto ali estiverem; não andem de casa em casa11 E sempre que uma localidade não vos quiser receber nem ouvir, sacudam a poeira dos vossos pés quando saírem, em sinal de que abandonaram essa terra à sua própria sorte.12 Então os discípulos partiram, incitando todos os que encontravam a abandonarem o pecado. Expulsaram muitos demónios e curaram muitos doentes, ungindo-os com azeite.14 Não tardou que Herodes ouvisse falar em Jesus, cujos milagres eram contados com espanto em toda a parte. Algumas pessoas estavam a dizer que era João Baptista que tinha ressuscitado. Por isso dizia: Não admira que possa fazer tais milagres.15 Havia gente também que pensava que Jesus fosse Elias; outros, ainda, afirmavam que era um novo homem de Deus igual aos grandes profetas do passado. Não, dizia Herodes, é João, o homem a quem eu cortei a cabeça. Voltou de entre os mortos!17 Porque Herodes mandara soldados meterem João no cárcere, por este andar sempre a dizer que não estava certo casar-se com Herodias, mulher de Filipe, irmão do próprio rei. Para se vingar, Herodias queria que João fosse morto, mas sem a aprovação de Herodes nada podia fazer. Porque Herodes respeitava João, sabendo que era um homem bom e santo, e protegia-o. Sempre que falava com João, Herodes ficava preocupado, mas gostava de ouvi-lo.21 Até que, por fim, chegou a oportunidade por que Herodias esperava. Herodes fazia anos e dera uma festa para a gente do palácio, para os oficiais do exército e para a gente importante da Galileia. A certa altura, entrou a filha de Herodias, que dançou na presença dos convidados e agradou a todos. Pede-me o que quiseres, prometeu o rei, que eu dou-te nem que seja metade dos meus domínios.24 Ouvindo isto, ela saiu para se aconselhar junto da mãe, que lhe disse: Pede-lhe a cabeça de João Baptista!25 Então voltou logo à presença do rei: Quero a cabeça de João Baptista, agora mesmo, numa bandeja!26 O rei ficou muito triste com o pedido, mas teve vergonha de quebrar o juramento diante dos convidados. Mandou então um dos da sua guarda pessoal à prisão cortar a cabeça de João e trazê-la. O soldado matou João no cárcere e trouxe a sua cabeça numa bandeja, dando-a à jovem, que a levou à mãe.-29 Quando os discípulos de João souberam o que tinha acontecido, foram buscar o corpo e sepultaram-no num túmulo.30 Por fim, os apóstolos voltaram da sua viagem e, indo ter com Jesus, contaram-lhe tudo o que tinham feito e como haviam falado às populações visitadas. Jesus disse-lhes: Saiamos por um pouco do meio do povo para descansar. Pois era tanta a gente que ia e vinha que mal tinham tempo para comer. Saíram, pois, do barco para um sítio mais sossegado.33 Mas muitas pessoas deram por isso e, correndo pela praia fora, foram esperá-los ao ponto de desembarque34 Quando Jesus saiu do barco, já lá se encontrava a enorme multidão de sempre. E teve pena deles, porque eram como ovelhas sem pastor. Ensinou-lhes muitas coisas que precisavam de saber.35 Ao cair da tarde, os discípulos foram ter com Jesus e disseram: Manda ao povo que vá até às aldeias e quintas próximas para comprar alimento, porque neste lugar deserto não há nada para comer e está a fazer-se tarde.37 Jesus discordou: Dêem-lhe vocês de comer.Com quê? Seria preciso uma fortuna para comprar comida para tanta gente!38 Quanta comida temos?, perguntou Jesus. Vão ver. Eles voltaram, dizendo que havia cinco pães e dois peixes.39 Então Jesus disse à multidão que se sentasse. E sentaram-se, na erva verde, em grupos de cinquenta ou cem. 241 Tomando os cinco pães e os dois peixes, Jesus ergueu os olhos para o céu e agradeceu a comida. Depois, partindo os pães em pedaços, deu um pouco de pão e de peixe a cada discípulo para que oferecessem ao povo.42 A multidão comeu até se fartar.43 Havia cerca de cinco mil homens naquela refeição, e ainda se recolheram doze cestos de sobras.45 Logo a seguir, Jesus mandou os discípulos que voltassem para o barco e fossem à sua frente, atravessando o lago até Betsaida, onde se lhes juntaria mais tarde, pois ficaria um pouco mais para despedir o povo e enviá-lo para casa. Feito isto, Jesus subiu à montanha para orar.47 Durante a noite, estando os discípulos no barco, no meio do lago e ele sozinho em terra, viu que se encontravam em aflição, remando com esforço e lutando contra o vento e as ondas. Por volta das três da madrugada, caminhou para eles por cima da água e ia passar-lhes adiante49 Quando deram conta que ia alguém a caminhar perto deles, gritaram de terror, pensando que fosse um fantasma, porque todos o viam. Ele, porém, logo lhes falou, dizendo: Vai tudo bem, sou eu, não tenham medo! Então subiu para o barco e o vento parou.51 Os discípulos ficaram ali sentados, de boca aberta, sem compreender o que se passara. Porque ainda não tinham percebido quem Jesus realmente era, nem mesmo depois do milagre da tarde anterior. Os seus corações estavam endurecidos.53 Quando chegaram a Genezaré, do outro lado do lago, amarraram o barco e saltaram para terra. O povo que se encontrava ali reconheceu-o imediatamente e percorreu toda a região espalhando a notícia da sua chegada; começaram a trazer-.-lhe os doentes em esteiras e padiolas.56 Aonde quer que fosse, aldeias, cidades e quintas, punham os doentes nas praças e ruas, pedindo que os deixasse ao menos tocar-lhe nas franjas da roupa, e todos os que lhe tocavam ficavam curados.

1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country, and his disciples follow him.2 And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given to him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.4 But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kindred, and in his own house.5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick persons, and healed them.6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went around the villages teaching.7 And he calleth to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no bag, no bread, no money in their purse:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.10 And he said to them, In whatever place ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from that place.11 And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence shake off the dust under your feet, for a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.12 And they went out and preached that men should repent.13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.14 And king Herod heard of him (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist had risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.15 Others said, That it is Elijah. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.16 But when Herod heard of him, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he hath risen from the dead.17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.18 For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and observed him: and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.21 And when a convenient day had come, that Herod on his birth-day made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief men of Galilee;22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod, and them that sat with him, the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.23 And he swore to her, Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, to the half of my kingdom.24 And she went forth, and said to her mother, What shall I ask? and she said, The head of John the Baptist.25 And she came in forthwith with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou shouldst give me, immediately, in a dish, the head of John the Baptist.26 And the king was exceeding sorry: yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,28 And brought his head in a dish, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.30 And the apostles assembled themselves to Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31 And he said to them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32 And they departed into a desert place in a boat privately.33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran on foot thither out of all cities, and out went them, and came together to him.34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw many people, and was moved with compassion towards them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:36 Send them away, that they may go into the country around, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.37 He answered and said to them, Give ye them to eat. And they say to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?38 He saith to them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.41 And when he had taken the five loaves, and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes he divided among them all.42 And they all ate, and were satisfied.43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.44 And they that ate of the loaves, were about five thousand men.45 And immediately he constrained his disciples to get into the boat, and to go to the other side before to Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.46 And when he had dismissed them, he departed to a mountain to pray.47 And when evening was come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary to them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh to them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.50 (For they all saw him, and were troubled.) And immediately he talked with them, and saith to them, Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid.51 And he went up to them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves; for their heart was hardened.53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.54 And when they had come out of the boat forthwith they knew him,55 And ran through that whole region around, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch, if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him, were healed.