1. And getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own town.
2. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher, and when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
3. And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
4. And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5. For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
6. But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go to your home.”
7. And he got up and went to his home.
8. But when the crowds saw this, they were afraid and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
9. And as Jesus was going away from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth and said to him, “Follow me!” And he stood up and followed him.
10. And it happened as he was dining in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners were coming and dining with Jesus and his disciples.
11. And when they saw it, the Pharisees began to say to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”