1 ^lAnd getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; ^myour sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is ⁿblaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing¹ their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has ^oauthority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they ^pglorified God, who had given such authority to men.

9 ^qAs Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ^r“Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus² reclined at table in the house, behold, ^smany tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher ^teat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ^u‘I desire ^vmercy, and not sacrifice.’ For ^wI came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”