9. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken;
10. and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
12. And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities, behold, a man full of leprosy: and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
13. And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway the leprosy departed from him.
14. And he charged him to tell no man: but go thy way, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
15. But so much the more went abroad the report concerning him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities.
16. But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.
17. And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every village of Galilee and Judaea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.
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.