Matthew 14

1At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,

1At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard the news about Jesus,

2and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in him.

2and he said to his officials, 'This man is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why he has the power to do these miracles.'

3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

3Herod had previously arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

4This happened because John had been telling Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have her as your wife.'

5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people because they believed John was a prophet.

6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.

6On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and greatly pleased Herod.

7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask.

7Because of this, he promised with a solemn oath to give her whatever she asked for.

8And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.

8Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a tray.'

9And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given;

9The king was very upset, but because of his oath and the guests sitting there with him, he ordered that her request be granted.

10and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

10He sent word to the prison and had John beheaded.

11And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

11His head was brought in on a tray and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother.

12And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

12John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

13Now when Jesus heardit, he withdrew from thence in a boat, to a desert place apart: and when the multitudes heard thereof, they followed him on foot from the cities.

13When Jesus heard the news, he left by boat to go to a lonely place to be by himself. But when the crowds heard about it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

14And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

14When Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw the large crowd, he felt deep compassion for them and healed their sick.

15And when even was come, the disciples came to him, saying, The place is desert, and the time is already past; send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.

15When it was getting late, the disciples came to him and said, 'This is a remote place and it’s already late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy some food for themselves.'

16But Jesus said unto them, They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat.

16But Jesus told them, 'They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat.'

17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

17The disciples answered, 'All we have here are five loaves of bread and two fish.'

18And he said, Bring them hither to me.

18'Bring them here to me,' Jesus said.

19And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.

19He told the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up toward heaven, he gave thanks. Then he broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the people.

20And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

20Everyone ate until they were full. Afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of leftover pieces.

21And they that did eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

21About five thousand men ate, not counting the women and children.

22And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away.

22Right away, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the lake while he sent the crowds home.

23And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.

23After he had sent the people away, he went up on a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

24But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

24By this time, the boat was far out on the lake, being tossed around by the waves because the wind was blowing against it.

25And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.

25Very early in the morning, between three and six o'clock, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.

26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear.

26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. 'It’s a ghost!' they cried out in fear.

27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

27But Jesus spoke to them at once, saying, 'Don’t worry! It is I. Don’t be afraid.'

28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters.

28Peter replied, 'Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.'

29And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus.

29'Come,' Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.

30But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, 'Lord, save me!'

31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You have so little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt?'

32And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased.

32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind stopped.

33And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

33Then the men in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'You really are the Son of God!'

34And when they had crossed over, they came to the land, unto Gennesaret.

34After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret.

35And when the men of that place knew him, they sent into all that region round about, and brought unto him all that were sick;

35When the people there recognized Jesus, they sent word throughout the whole surrounding area. They brought all the sick people to him,

36and they besought him that they might only touch the border of his garment: and as many as touched were made whole.

36and they begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his clothes. And everyone who touched him was completely healed.