10. and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were business partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid! From now on you will be catching people!”
11. And after they brought their boats to the land, they left everything and followed him.
12. And it happened that while he was in one of the towns, there was a man covered with leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell down on his face and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you are able to make me clean.”
13. And extending his hand he touched him, saying, “I am willing; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy went away from him.
14. And he ordered him, “Tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest and bring the offering for your cleansing just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
15. But the report about him spread even more, and large crowds were gathering to hear him and to be healed of their illnesses.
16. But he himself was withdrawing in the wilderness and praying.
17. And it happened that on one of the days as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was there in order for him to heal.
18. And behold, men came carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and place him before him.
19. And when they did not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the roof tiles with the stretcher into the midst of them, in front of Jesus.
20. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”
21. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?”