18. And behold, men bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
19. And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
20. And seeing their faith, he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22. But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
23. Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
24. But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house.
25. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his house, glorifying God.
26. And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today.
27. And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, Follow me.
28. And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.
29. And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.
30. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?
31. And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
32. I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
33. And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.
34. And Jesus said unto them, Can ye make the sons of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35. But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in those days.