New International Reader's Version

Mark 6:39-54 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

39. Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.

40. So they sat down in groups of 100s and 50s.

41. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to his disciples to set in front of the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

42. All of them ate and were satisfied.

43. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of broken pieces of bread and fish.

44. The number of men who had eaten was 5,000.

45. Right away Jesus made his disciples get into the boat. He had them go on ahead of him to Bethsaida. Then he sent the crowd away.

46. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was alone on land.

48. He saw the disciples pulling hard on the oars. The wind was blowing against them. Early in the morning, he went out to them. He walked on the lake. When he was about to pass by them,

49. they saw him walking on the lake. They thought he was a ghost. They cried out.

50. They all saw him and were terrified. Right away he said to them, "Be brave! It is I. Don't be afraid."

51. Then he climbed into the boat with them. The wind died down. And they were completely amazed.

52. They had not understood about the loaves. They were stubborn.

53. They crossed over the lake and landed at Gennesaret. There they tied up the boat.

54. As soon as Jesus and his disciples got out, people recognized him.