Matthew 9:1-13 ▼

1 And, entering into a boat, He crossed over, and came into His own city.

2 And, behold, they were bringing to Him a paralytic laid upon a couch. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Child, be of good courage; your sins are forgiven."

3 And, behold, some of the scribes said among themselves, "This Man is blaspheming! "

4 And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why think ye evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Arise, and walk.'

6 "But, that ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority on the earth to forgive sins" (then saith He to the paralytic), "Arise, and take up your bed, and go to your house."

7 And, having arisen, he went to his house;

8 and, seeing it , the multitudes feared, and glorified God, Who gave such authority to men.

9 And Jesus, passing on thence, saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the tax-office, and He saith to him, "Follow Me." And, rising up, he followed Him.

10 And it came to pass, as He was reclining at table in the house, behold, many tax-collectors and sinners, having come, were reclining with Jesus and His disciples.

11 And the Pharisees, seeing it , said to His disciples, Why is your Teacher eating with the tax-collectors and sinners?"

12 And Jesus, hearing it , said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are ill.

13 But, going, learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice;' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."