17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
18 And behold, men brought in a bed, a man who was taken with a palsy; and they sought to bring him in, and to lay him before Jesus.
19 And when they found that they could not bring him in for the multitude, they went upon the house-top, and let him down through the tiling, with his couch, into the midst, before Jesus.
20 Now he saw their faith, and said unto the man, Thy sins are forgiven thee.
21 And the scribes and Pharisees begin to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?
22 But Jesus perceived their thoughts, and he said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
23 Does it require more power to forgive sins than to make the sick rise up and walk?
24 But, that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, I said it. And he said unto the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place where they received custom; and he said unto him, Follow me.
