005:021 Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, "Who is this,
uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
005:022 Well aware of their reasonings, Jesus answered their questions
by asking in turn, "What is this that you are debating
in your hearts?
005:023 Which is easier?--to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say,
`Rise and walk'?
005:024 But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on
earth to forgive sins"--Turning to the paralytic He said,
"I bid you, Rise, take up your bed, and go home."
005:025 Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress
on which he had been lying, and went away to his home,
giving glory to God.
005:026 Amazement seized them all. "Glory to God!" was the abiding feeling.
Yet fear flashed through their minds and they said, "We have
seen strange things to-day."
005:027 After this He went out and noticed a tax-gatherer, Levi by name,
sitting at the Toll office; and He said to him, "Follow me."
005:028 He rose, left everything, and followed Him.
005:029 Levi also gave a great entertainment at his house in honour
of Jesus, and there was a large party of tax-gatherers
and others at table with them.
005:030 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate
with His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking
with these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"
005:031 But Jesus replied to them, "It is not men in good health
who require a physician, but the sick.