1
And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
2
And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven."
3
And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."
4
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
6
But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --he then said to the Paralytic--"rise, take up your bed and go home."
7
And he rose and went home.
8
When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
9
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10
And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
11
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"