2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive the multitude; no, not so much as about the door; and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they came unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four persons.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him, for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was; and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?
7 And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit, that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Is it not easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; than to say, Arise, and take up thy bed and walk?
8 But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thy house.
9 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and many glorified God, saying, We never saw the power of God after this manner.
10 And Jesus went forth again by the seaside, and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
11 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the place where they receive tribute, as was customary in those days, and he said unto him, Follow me; and he arose and followed him.
12 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with him and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him.
