Jesus helps a man who cannot walk
1 Then Jesus got back into the boat. He sailed across to the other side of the lake again. He went to Capernaum, the town where he was living.
2 Some men came to see Jesus there. They carried with them a man who could not move his legs. He was lying on a mat. Jesus knew that they believed in him. He said to the man who could not walk, ‘Do not be afraid, my friend. I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.’
3 Then some teachers of God's Law said to themselves: ‘This man is speaking as if he is God. That is not right.’
4 Jesus knew what the teachers were thinking. So he said to them, ‘You should not think these bad things in your minds. 5 I said to this man, “I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.” Instead, I could have said to him, “Stand up and walk.” Which one is easier for me to say? 6 But I want you to know this: I, the Son of Man, have authority on earth. I can forgive people for the wrong things that they have done.’
Then Jesus said to the man who could not walk, ‘Stand up. Pick up your mat and go home.’ 7 The man stood up and he went home.
8 The crowds of people saw what had happened. They were very surprised and afraid. They saw that God had given so much authority to a man. So they praised God and they said, ‘God is great!’
