Matthew 9:1-13

1So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town.

2Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”

3At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming!”

4Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?

5For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”  — then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”

7So he got up and went home.

8When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God, who had given such authority to men.

9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

10While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples.

11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick.

13Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”