Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

8 Again at that time many, many people came together. They had nothing to eat. Jesus called his disciples. He said,

² `I share the suffering of the people. They have been with me for three days and they have nothing to eat.

³ If I send them home hungry, they will get weak and fall on the way. Some of them have come a long way.'

⁴ His disciples answered, `Where can anyone get enough food in this lonely place to feed so many people?'

⁵ Jesus asked them, `How many loaves of bread have you?' They said, `Seven.'

⁶ He told the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves of bread and thanked God for them. Then he broke the bread and gave it to the disciples. They gave it to the people.

⁷ They had a few small fish. Jesus told the disciples to divide the fish among the people also.

⁸ The people ate and had enough. They gathered seven baskets full of pieces that were left.

⁹ The number of men who ate was about four thousand.

¹⁰ Jesus sent them away. Then right away he got in the boat with his disciples and went to the country around Dalmanutha.