6. Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses were sitting there. They started wondering,
7. “Why would he say such a thing? He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.”
8. Straight away, Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking such things?
9. Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and pick up his mat and go on home?
10. I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man,
11. “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.”
12. The man got straight up. He picked up his mat and went out while everyone watched in amazement. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!”
13. Once again, Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee. A large crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.
14. As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, “Come with me!” So he got up and went with Jesus.
15. Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Levi's house. Many tax collectors and other sinners had become followers of Jesus, and they were also guests at the dinner.