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Matthew 4:12-20
Easy-to-Read Version
Matthew 4:12-20
Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus Begins His Work in Galilee(A)
12 Jesus heard that John was put in prison, so he went back to Galilee. 13 But he did not stay in Nazareth. He went to live in Capernaum, a town near Lake Galilee in the area near Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 He did this to give full meaning to what the prophet Isaiah said:
15 “Listen, land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
lands by the road that goes to the sea, the area past the Jordan River—
Galilee, where those from other nations live.
16 The people who live in spiritual darkness
have seen a great light.
The light has shined for those
who live in the land that is as dark as a grave.” (B)
17 From that time Jesus began to tell people his message: “Change your hearts and lives, because God’s kingdom is now very near.[a]”
Jesus Chooses Some Followers(C)
18 As Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Simon’s brother Andrew. These brothers were fishermen, and they were fishing in the lake with a net. 19 Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you a different kind of fishermen. You will bring in people, not fish.” 20 Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 4:17 is now very near Or “is coming soon” or “has come.”
Matthew 4:12-20
New International Version
Matthew 4:12-20
New International Version
Jesus Begins to Preach
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison,(A) he withdrew to Galilee.(B) 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum,(C) which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill(D) what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”[a](E)
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven(F) has come near.”
Jesus Calls His First Disciples(G)
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee,(H) he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter(I) and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,”(J) Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.(K)
Footnotes
- Matthew 4:16 Isaiah 9:1,2
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
New International Version (NIV) 
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