Matthew 9:1-17 ▼

1 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His own town.

2 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, my child; your sins are pardoned."

3 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes among themselves.

4 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts?

5 Why, which is easier? --to say, 'Your sins are pardoned,' or to say 'Rise up and walk'?

6 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins" --He then says to the paralytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go home."

7 And he got up, and went off home.

8 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.

9 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him.

10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples.

11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"

12 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good health who require a doctor, but the sick.

13 But go and learn what this means, 'It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners."

14 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?"

15 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them)

16 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the old, and a worse hole would be made.

17 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are saved."