23
Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you;' or to say, 'Arise and walk?'
24
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (he said to the paralyzed man), "I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house."
25
Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.
26
Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
27
After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me."
28
He left everything, and rose up and followed him.
29
Levi made him a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.
30
Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"
31
Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
32
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
33
They said to him, "Why do John's disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?"