5
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are pardoned."
6
Now there were some of the Scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts.
7
"Why does this man use such words?" they said; "he is blaspheming. Who can pardon sins but One--that is, God?"
8
At once perceiving by His spirit that they were reasoning within themselves, Jesus asked them, "Why do you thus argue in your minds?
9
Which is easier?--to say to this paralytic, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say, `Rise, take up your mat, and walk?'
10
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins" --He turned to the paralytic, and said,
11
"To you I say, `Rise, take up your mat and go home.'"
12
The man rose, and immediately under the eyes of all took up his mat and went out, so that they were all filled with astonishment, gave the glory to God, and said, "We never saw anything like this."
13
Again He went out to the shore of the Lake, and the whole multitude kept coming to Him, and He taught them.
14
And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." So he rose and followed Him.
15
When He was sitting at table in Levi's house, a large number of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners were at table with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many such who habitually followed Him.