1. Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.
2. Some people brought to Jesus a man who was paralyzed. The man was lying on his mat. Jesus saw that these people had great faith, so he said to the paralyzed man, “Be happy, young man. Your sins are forgiven.”
3. Some of the teachers of the law heard this. They said to themselves, “This man speaks as if he were God—that is blasphemy!”
4. Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, “Why are you thinking evil thoughts?
5. Which is easier: to tell this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to tell him, ‘Stand up and walk’?
6. But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Stand up. Take your mat and go home.”
7. And the man stood up and went home.
8. The people saw this and were amazed. They praised God for giving power like this to men.
9. When Jesus was leaving, he saw a man named Matthew. Matthew was sitting in the tax office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew stood up and followed Jesus.
10. Jesus had dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with Jesus and his followers.
11. The Pharisees saw this and asked Jesus’ followers, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
12. Jesus heard the Pharisees ask this. So he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Only the sick need a doctor.