1
Jesus got into the boat and went back across the lake to his own town,
2
where some people brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a bed. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the paralyzed man, "Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven."
3
Then some teachers of the Law said to themselves, "This man is speaking blasphemy!"
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Jesus perceived what they were thinking, and so he said, "Why are you thinking such evil things?
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Is it easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, "Get up and walk'?
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I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, pick up your bed, and go home!"
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The man got up and went home.
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When the people saw it, they were afraid, and praised God for giving such authority to people.
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Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him.