The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
16 But Jesus said, "There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper."
16
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 "All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish," they said.
17
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 Jesus said, "Bring them here."
18
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
19 Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation.
19
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20 They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers.
20
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21 About five thousand were fed.
21
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people.
22
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23 With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
23
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
24 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves.
24
and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water.
25
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.
26
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.