005:022 Well aware of their reasonings, Jesus answered their questions by asking in turn, "What is this that you are debating in your hearts?
005:023 Which is easier?—to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise and walk'?
005:024 But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on
earth to forgive sins"—Turning to the paralytic He said,
"I bid you, Rise, take up your bed, and go home."
005:025 Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress
on which he had been lying, and went away to his home,
giving glory to God.
005:026 Amazement seized them all. "Glory to God!" was the abiding feeling.
Yet fear flashed through their minds and they said, "We have
seen strange things to-day."
005:027 After this He went out and noticed a tax-gatherer, Levi by name, sitting at the Toll office; and He said to him, "Follow me."
005:028 He rose, left everything, and followed Him.
005:029 Levi also gave a great entertainment at his house in honour
of Jesus, and there was a large party of tax-gatherers
and others at table with them.
005:030 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate
with His disciples and ask, "Why are you eating and drinking
with these tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?"
005:031 But Jesus replied to them, "It is not men in good health who require a physician, but the sick.