Calling of the first disciples
5 1One day, as Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around him listening to the word of God, 2he caught sight of two boats left at the water’s edge by the fishermen now washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to pull out a little from the shore. There he sat and continued to teach the crowd.
4When he had finished speaking he said to Simon: 
—Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch. 
5Simon replied: 
—Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will lower the nets. 
6This they did and caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats almost to the point of sinking. 8Upon seeing this, Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, saying: 
—Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man! 
9For he and his companions were amazed at the catch they had made 10and so were Simon’s partners, James and John, Zebedee’s sons.
Jesus said to Simon: 
—Do not be afraid. You will catch people from now on.
11So they brought their boats to land and followed him, leaving everything.

THE CONCISE BIBLE
Christian Community Bible 
Catholic Pastoral Edition

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Originally published by
Ediciones Mensajero, Spain