4
And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay.
5
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven."
6
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
7
"Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8
And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts?
9
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk'?
10
But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --he said to the paralytic--
11
"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home."
12
And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
13
He went out again beside the sea; and all the crowd gathered about him, and he taught them.
14
And as he passed on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.