The Holy Bible · Mark

Mark 6

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1He left there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him.

2When the Sabbath came, He began teaching in the synagogue. The many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? What is this wisdom given to Him? And such mighty works taking place through His hands!

3Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” They took offense at Him.

4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.”

5He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

6He marveled at their unbelief. Then He went around the surrounding villages, teaching.

7He called the Twelve to Him and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority over the unclean spirits.

8He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff alone: no bread, no bag, no copper money in their belt,

9but to wear sandals, and, “Do not put on two tunics.”

10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, remain there until you leave that place.

11Whatever place does not receive you, and whose people do not listen to you, shake off the dust beneath your feet as you leave there, as a testimony to them.”

12They went out and proclaimed that people should repent.

13They cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

14King Herod heard of it, for His name had become known. People were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and that is why mighty powers are at work in Him.”

15Others said, “He is Elijah.” Still others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets.”

16But when Herod heard, he said, “John, whom I beheaded—he has been raised!”

17For Herod himself had sent men to seize John and bind him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.

18For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.

20For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, yet he listened to him gladly.

21An opportune day came when Herod gave a dinner on his birthday for his dignitaries, commanders of thousands, and the leading men of Galilee.

22The daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, pleasing Herod and those reclining with him. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

23He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She said, “The head of John the baptizer.”

25Immediately she hurried in to the king and made her request, saying, “I want you to give me at once, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.”

26The king became deeply grieved, but because of his oaths and those reclining at table, he did not want to refuse her.

27Immediately the king sent an executioner and ordered him to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in prison,

28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; the girl gave it to her mother.

29When his disciples heard, they came and took his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him everything they had done and taught.

31He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a little.” For many were coming and going, and they did not even have an opportunity to eat.

32They went away privately in the boat to a deserted place.

33People saw them leaving, and many recognized them. They ran there together on foot from all the cities and arrived ahead of them.

34As He stepped out, He saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began teaching them many things.

35When the hour was already late, His disciples came to Him and said, “The place is deserted, and the hour is already late.

36Dismiss them, so that they can go into the surrounding fields and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

39He ordered them to have everyone recline in dining groups on the green grass.

40They reclined in rows, by hundreds and by fifties.

41He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, pronounced a blessing, and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to His disciples to set before the people, and He divided the two fish among them all.

42They all ate and were satisfied.

43They took up broken pieces, twelve baskets full, and some of the fish.

44Those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

45Immediately He compelled His disciples to board the boat and go ahead to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while He Himself dismissed the crowd.

46After saying farewell to them, He went away to the mountain to pray.

47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.

48Seeing them straining at the rowing, for the wind was against them, He came toward them about the fourth watch of the night, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them.

49When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a phantom and cried out,

50for they all saw Him and were troubled. Immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage! It is I; do not fear.”

51He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were utterly astounded within themselves,

52for they had not understood about the loaves, but their heart was hardened.

53When they crossed over to land, they came to Gennesaret and moored there.

54As they stepped out of the boat, people immediately recognized Him

55and ran through that whole country. They began carrying the sick around on their mats to wherever they heard He was.

56Wherever He entered villages, cities, or fields, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him to let them touch even the fringe of His garment. As many as touched Him were saved.

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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 working draft awaiting specialist review.