Matthew 9:9 - First Nations Version

⁹ Creator Sets Free (Jesus) left there, and as he walked on, he saw a tribal tax collector named Gift from Creator (Matthew) sitting at his tax booth. Tribal tax collectors were often Tribal Members who were given the right to collect taxes for the People of Iron (Romans). They could force their own people, under the threat of violence, to pay them. To make a living, they would take more than the People of Iron (Romans) required. But many of them became greedy and took even more than they were permitted. They were hated and looked down on by the people. Creator Sets Free (Jesus), to the surprise of all, walked up to the tribal tax collector and said to him, “Gift from Creator (Matthew), come and walk the road with me.” So he got up from his tax booth, left it all behind, and began to walk the road with Creator Sets Free (Jesus).

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁹ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁹ As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's office; and He said to him, Be My disciple [side with My party and follow Me]. And he rose and followed Him.

American Standard Version (1901)

⁹ And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Common English Bible

⁹ As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁹ And when Jesus passed on from there, he saw, sitting at the tax office, a man named Matthew. And he said to him, "Follow me." And rising up, he followed him.

Matthew 9:9 Cross References