1. After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town.
2. Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”
3. Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
4. When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?
5. Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?
6. But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – then he said to the paralytic – “Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
7. And he stood up and went home.
8. When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored 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 booth. “Follow me,” he said to him. And he got up and followed him.