5
For which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, "Stand up and walk'?
6
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Stand up, take your bed and go to your home."
7
And he stood up and went to his home.
8
When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
9
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
10
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.
11
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12
But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13
Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
14
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"
15
And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.