1. So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town.
2. Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”
3. At this, some of the scribes said among themselves, “He’s blaspheming! ”
4. But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?
5. For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
6. But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — then He told the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
7. And he got up and went home.
8. When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God who had given such authority to men.
9. As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me! ” So he got up and followed Him.