20
Seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, 1your sins are forgiven you."
21
The scribes and the Pharisees2began to reason, saying, "3Who is this man whospeaksblasphemies? 4Whocanforgivesins, but Godalone?"
22
But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?
23
"Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk '?
24
"But, so that you may know that the Son of Manhasauthority on earth to forgivesins,"-He said to the 5paralytic - "I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and gohome."
25
Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and wenthome6glorifyingGod.
26
They were allstruck with astonishment and began 7glorifyingGod; and they were filled8with fear, saying, "We have seenremarkablethingstoday."
Call of Levi (Matthew)
279After that He went out and noticed a taxcollectornamed10Levisitting in the taxbooth, and He said to him, "Follow Me."
28
And he 11lefteverythingbehind, and got up and began to follow Him.
29
And 12Levigave a bigreception for Him in his house; and there was a greatcrowd of 13taxcollectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.
30
14The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why* do you eat and drink with the taxcollectors and sinners?"