15. But the news about Jesus spread even more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses,
16. but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.
17. One day as Jesus was teaching the people, the Pharisees and teachers of the law from every town in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem were there. The Lord was giving Jesus the power to heal people.
18. Just then, some men were carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and put him down before Jesus.
19. But because there were so many people there, they could not find a way in. So they went up on the roof and lowered the man on his mat through the ceiling into the middle of the crowd right before Jesus.
20. Seeing their faith, Jesus said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21. The Jewish teachers of the law and the Pharisees thought to themselves, “Who is this man who is speaking as if he were God? Only God can forgive sins.”
22. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why are you thinking these things?
23. Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?
24. But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, stand up, take your mat, and go home.”
25. At once the man stood up before them, picked up his mat, and went home, praising God.
26. All the people were fully amazed and began to praise God. They were filled with much respect and said, “Today we have seen amazing things!”
27. After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax collector’s booth. Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”
28. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29. Then Levi gave a big dinner for Jesus at his house. Many tax collectors and other people were eating there, too.