1. Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.
2. Some people brought to Jesus a man who was paralyzed. The man was lying on his mat. Jesus saw that these people had great faith, so he said to the paralyzed man, “Be happy, young man. Your sins are forgiven.”
3. Some of the teachers of the law heard this. They said to themselves, “This man speaks as if he were God—that is blasphemy!”
4. Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, “Why are you thinking evil thoughts?
5. Which is easier: to tell this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to tell him, ‘Stand up and walk’?
6. But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Stand up. Take your mat and go home.”
7. And the man stood up and went home.