4
Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug a hole in the roof right above where he was speaking. When they got through, they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it.
5
When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven."
6
Some of the teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
7
"Why does this man say things like that? He is speaking as if he were God. Only God can forgive sins."
8
Jesus knew immediately what these teachers of the law were thinking. So he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?
9
Which is easier: to tell this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to tell him, 'Stand up. Take your mat and walk'?
10
But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
11
"I tell you, stand up, take your mat, and go home."
12
Immediately the paralyzed man stood up, took his mat, and walked out while everyone was watching him. The people were amazed and praised God. They said, "We have never seen anything like this!"
13
Jesus went to the lake again. The whole crowd followed him there, and he taught them.
14
While he was walking along, he saw a man named Levi son of Alphaeus, sitting in the tax collector's booth. Jesus said to him, "Follow me," and he stood up and followed Jesus.