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!”
28. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29. Levi held a large reception at his home for Jesus. A huge crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
30. The Pharisees and their experts in Moses’ Teachings complained to Jesus’ disciples. They asked, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”