21. And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22. And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering, he said to them: What is it you think in your hearts?
23. Which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
24. But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say to thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
25. And immediately rising up before them, he took up the bed on which he lay; and he went away to his own house, glorifying God.
26. And all were astonished; and they glorified God. And they were filled with fear, saying: We have seen wonderful things to day.
27. And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said to him: Follow me.
28. And leaving all things, he rose up and followed him.
29. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; and there was a great company of publicans, and of others, that were at table with them.
30. But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying to his disciples: Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31. And Jesus answering, said to them: They that are whole, need not the physician: but they that are sick.
32. I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.
33. And they said to him: Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees in like manner; but thine eat and drink?