American King James Version (AKJV) – And Simon answering said to him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.
Amplified Bible (AMP) – And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].
American Standard Version (ASV) – And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
Common English Bible (CEB) – Simon replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets.”
English Standard Version (ESV) – And Simon answered, Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.
Good News Translation (GNT) – “Master,” Simon answered, “we worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
King James Version (KJV) – Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
New International Version (NIV) – Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
New King James Version (NKJV) – But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
New Living Translation (NLT) – But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Revised Standard Version (RSV) – And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
The Message Bible (MSG) – Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.”
Reflection
There was an instruction to let down their nets in verse 4 which Simon acted on by saying in verse 5 that they worked hard all night and caught nothing. Jesus knew that they did toil all through the night and caught nothing yet he told them to let down their net.
Simon could have told Jesus that there was no need letting down the net since they’ve been out all through the night and caught nothing instead, he reminded him(Jesus) that they did toil and got nothhing but because he has said so he will give it another chance. What does this imply?
Jesus is saying to us to let down our self reliance and self dependence and look up to him alone who is the author and finisher of our faith. He wants us to trust him completely even in the heat of our challenges.
Simon believed and obeyed despite there was no sign of the net breaking miracle yet. The fact that they toiled through the night and caught nothing did not stop him from obeying the instruction of the King. He knew something was definitely going to happen for his good.
Life itself can be really tough that sometimes it feels like we can’t continue any further. The truth is, God sees all of these trials and tribulations, no matter how deep your wounds may be, no matter how long you’ve been expecting the change that you desire, and no matter how long you’ve been in that situation you should keep faith alive.
Don’t let the pain of the fruitless night stop you from getting what God has in store for you, because God is not through with you yet.
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