5. Haven't you read the Law? It tells how every Sabbath day the priests in the temple have to do their work on that day. But they are not considered guilty.
6. "I tell you that one who is more important than the temple is here.
7. Scripture says, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.' (Hosea 6:6) You don't know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.
8. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day."
9. Going on from that place, Jesus went into their synagogue.
10. A man with a weak and twisted hand was there. The Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. So they asked him, "Does the Law allow us to heal on the Sabbath day?"
11. He said to them, "What if one of your sheep falls into a pit on the Sabbath? Won't you take hold of it and lift it out?
12. A man is worth more than sheep! So the Law allows us to do good on the Sabbath day."
13. Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out. It was as good as new, just as good as the other hand.
14. But the Pharisees went out and planned how to kill Jesus.
15. Jesus knew all about the Pharisees' plans. So he left that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick people.
16. But he warned them not to tell who he was.
17. This was to make what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah come true. It says,