Mark 2:5-9

5 Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."
6 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves,
7 "He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins."
8 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical?
9 Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'?
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.