1 After this there was a Festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, called in Hebrew Bethesda.' It has five arcades.3 In these there used to lie a great number of sick persons, and of people who were blind or lame or paralyzed.4 []5 And there was one man there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.6 Jesus saw him lying there, and knowing that he had been a long time in that condition, He asked him, »Do you wish to have health and strength?«7 »Sir,« replied the sufferer, »I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is moved; but while I am coming some one else steps down before me.«8 »Rise,« said Jesus, »take up your mat and walk.«9 Instantly the man was restored to perfect health, and he took up his mat and began to walk.