001:038 "Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns,"
He replied, "that I may proclaim my Message there also;
because for that purpose I came from God."
001:039 And He went through all Galilee, preaching in the synagogues
and expelling the demons.
001:040 One day there came a leper to Jesus entreating Him,
and pleading on his knees. "If you are willing," he said,
"you are able to cleanse me."
001:041 Moved with pity Jesus reached out His hand and touched him.
"I am willing," He said; "be cleansed."
001:042 The leprosy at once left him, and he was cleansed.
001:043 Jesus at once sent him away, strictly charging him,
001:044 and saying, "Be careful not to tell any one, but go and show
yourself to the Priest, and for your purification present
the offerings that Moses appointed as evidence for them."
001:045 But the man, when he went out, began to tell every one and to
publish the matter abroad, so that it was no longer possible
for Jesus to go openly into any town; but He had to remain
outside in unfrequented places, where people came to Him
from all parts.
002:001 After some days He entered Capernaum again, and it soon became
known that He was at home;
002:002 and such numbers of people came together that there was no
longer room for them even round the door. He was speaking
His Message to them,
002:003 when there came a party of people bringing a paralytic--
four men carrying him.
002:004 Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus
because of the crowd, they untiled the roof just over His head,
and after clearing an opening they lowered the mat on which
the paralytic was lying.
002:005 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "My son,
your sins are pardoned."
002:006 Now there were some of the Scribes sitting there, and reasoning
in their hearts.
002:007 "Why does this man use such words?" they said; "he is blaspheming.
Who can pardon sins but One--that is, God?"
002:008 At once perceiving by His spirit that they were reasoning
within themselves, Jesus asked them, "Why do you thus argue
in your minds?
002:009 Which is easier?--to say to this paralytic, 'Your sins are pardoned,'
or to say, 'Rise, take up your mat, and walk?'
002:010 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth
to pardon sins"--He turned to the paralytic, and said,