Matthew 9:1-13

1After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town.

2Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”

3Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”

4When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?

5Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?

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

7And he stood up and went home.

8When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored God who had given such authority to men.

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

10As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples.

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

12When Jesus heard this he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do.

13Go and learn what this saying means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”