21. The experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees thought, “Who is this man? He’s dishonoring God! Who besides God can forgive sins?”
22. Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “What are you thinking?
23. Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
24. I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
25. The man immediately stood up in front of them and picked up the stretcher he had been lying on. Praising God, he went home.
26. Everyone was amazed and praised God. They were filled with awe and said, “We’ve seen things today we can hardly believe!”
27. After that, Jesus left. He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting in a tax office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”