20. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22. When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts?
23. Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
24. But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
25. And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.
26. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
27. After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”
28. And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
29. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.