Matthew 9:1-13 ▼

1 AND going on board the vessel, he passed over, and came to his own city.

2 And lo! they brought him a paralytic stretched on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Be of good cheer, son; thy sins are forgiven thee.

3 And lo! some of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

4 And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, wherefore do ye imagine evil things in your hearts?

5 For which is the easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority upon earth to forgive sins, (then he saith to the paralytic,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.

7 And he arose, and went to his house.

8 But when the multitude saw it, they were astonished, and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.

9 And Jesus passing from thence, saw a man sitting at the custom house, called Matthew: and saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

10 And it came to pass, as he sat in his house, many tax-gatherers and sinners came, and sat down at table with Jesus and his disciples.

11 And the Pharisees observing it, said to his disciples, How is this, that your Master eateth with publicans and sinners?

12 But Jesus hearing it, said unto them, They who are in the vigour of health have no need of the physician, but they who have illness.

13 Go then, and learn what is said, ?I require mercy and not sacrifice:? for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.