1 On one occasion when he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, the crowd pressed upon him to listen to the word of God.

2 But he saw two fishing-boats on the shore of the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.

3 He went on board one of the boats which belonged to Simon, and asked him to push out a little way from land. Then he sat down and continued to teach the crowd from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water, and let down your nets for a haul."

5 "Master," answered Simon, "although we toiled all night, we took nothing; but at your bidding I will let down the nets."

6 And when they had done this they enclosed a great multitude of fish; and their nets began to break.

7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at the knees of Jesus, exclaiming, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!"

9 (For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the haul of fish which they had made;

10 and so were Simons partners, Jamesand John, sons of Zebedee.) But Jesus answered Simon. "Fear not; from this time on, you will be catching men."

11 So when they had brought their boats to land they left everything and followed him.