Matthew 9:1-13 ▼

1 And He entered into the ship and passed over, and came to his own city:

2 and behold, they brought to Him one that had the palsy laid on a couch: and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, Take heart my son, for thy sins are forgiven thee.

3 Upon which, some of the scribes said in themselves, This man blasphemeth: but Jesus knowing their surmises,

4 said to them, Why think ye evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier? To say, thy sins be forgiven thee? or to say, rise up and walk?

6 but that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, Arise (saith He then to the paralytic) and take up thy couch, and go away to thy house.

7 And he rose up and went away to his own house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they were amazed, and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

9 And as Jesus was passing from thence, He saw a man sitting at the custom- house, named Matthew; and He saith to him, Follow me: and he rose up and followed Him.

10 And as He was sitting at table in the house of Matthew, behold, several publicans and notorious sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?

12 But Jesus hearing them, said unto them, They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill: go therefore and learn what that means,

13 "I desire mercy rather than sacrifice:" for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.