Matthew 9:14-17 - On Fasting

¹⁴ Then came the disciples of John to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?"

¹⁵ And Jesus said unto them, "Can the wedding children mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. ¹⁶ No man pieceth an old garment with a piece of new cloth. For then taketh he away the piece again from the garment, and the rent is made greater. ¹⁷ Neither do men put new wine into old vessels: for then the vessels break, and the wine runneth out, and the vessels perish: but they pour new wine into new vessels, and so are both saved together."

¹⁸ And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees did fast, and they therefore came and said unto him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, and thy disciples fast not?"

¹⁹ And Jesus said unto them, "Can the children of a wedding fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. ²⁰ But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast in those days. ²¹ Also no man seweth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for then taketh he away the new piece from the old, and so is the rent worse. ²² In like wise, no man poureth new wine into old vessels, for if he do, the new wine breaketh the vessels, and the wine runneth out, and the vessels are marred. But new wine must be poured into new vessels."

³³ Then they said unto him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often and pray: and the disciples of the Pharisees also: and thine eat and drink?"

³⁴ And he said unto them, "Can ye make the Children of the wedding fast, as long as the bridegroom is present with them? ³⁵ The days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them: then shall they fast in those days."

³⁶ Then he spake unto them in a similitude, "No man putteth a piece of a new garment, into an old vesture: for if he do, then breaketh he the new: and the piece that was taken out of the new, agreeth not with the old. ³⁷ Also no man poureth new wine into old vessels: for if he do, the new wine breaketh the vessels, and runneth out itself, and the vessels perish: ³⁸ But new wine must be poured into new vessels, and both are preserved. ³⁹ Also no man that drinketh old wine, straightway can away with new, for he sayeth: the old is pleasanter."