Mark 1:40–2:12

40  And there comes to him a leper, beseeching him, and falling on his knees to him, and saying to him, If thou wilt thou canst cleanse me. 41  But Jesus, moved with compassion, having stretched out his hand, touched him, and says to him, I will, be thou cleansed. 42  And as he spoke straightway the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43  And having sharply charged him, he straightway sent him away, 44  and says to him, See thou say nothing to any one, but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing what Moses ordained, for a testimony to them. 45  But he, having gone forth, began to proclaim it much, and to spread the matter abroad, so that he could no longer enter openly into the city, but was without in desert places, and they came to him from every side.

Chapter 2

1  And he entered again into Capernaum after several days, and it was reported that he was at the house; 2  and straightway many were gathered together, so that there was no longer any room, not even at the door; and he spoke the word to them. 3  And there come to him men bringing a paralytic, borne by four; 4  and, not being able to get near to him on account of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was, and having dug it up they let down the couch on which the paralytic lay. 5  But Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic, Child, thy sins are forgiven thee. 6  But certain of the scribes were there sitting, and reasoning in their hearts, 7  Why does this man thus speak? he blasphemes. Who is able to forgive sins except God alone? 8  And straightway Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they are reasoning thus within themselves, said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9  Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy couch and walk? 10  But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, he says to the paralytic, 11   To thee I say, Arise, take up thy couch and go to thine house. 12  And he rose up straightway, and, having taken up his couch, went out before them all, so that all were amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it thus.