Jesus Calls the First Disciples

^18 (A)While walking by ^(B)the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you ^(C)fishers of men.”^{[a] 20} Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

^36 (A)When he saw the crowds, ^(B)he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, ^(C)like sheep without a shepherd. ^37 (D)Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore ^(E)pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to ^(F)send out laborers into his harvest.”

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, ^(A)“All authority ^(B)in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ^19 (C)Go therefore and ^(D)make disciples of ^(E)all nations, ^(F)baptizing them ^(G)in^{[a] (H)}the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

⁸ But you will receive ^(A)power ^(B)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and ^(C)you will be ^(D)my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and ^(E)Samaria, and ^(F)to the end of the earth.”

¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him ^(A)of whom they have never heard?^[a] And how are they to hear ^(B)without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ^(C)“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

^9 (A)The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise ^(B)as some count slowness, but ^(C)is patient toward you,^{[a] (D)}not wishing that any should perish, but ^(E)that all should reach repentance.