1 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him, and said to them,

2 »I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat.

3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a long distance.«

4 And his disciples answered him, »How can one feed these men with bread here in the desert?«

5 And he asked them, »How many loaves do you have?« They said, »Seven.«

6 So he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.

7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, he commanded that these also should be set before them.

8 They ate, and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

9 About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away,