Healing and Forgiving a Paralytic

9:1 After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town.1 9:2 Just then2 some people3 brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.4 When Jesus saw their5 faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”6 9:3 Then7 some of the experts in the law8 said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”9 9:4 When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts? 9:5 Which is easier,10 to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 9:6 But so that you may know11 that the Son of Man12 has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he said to the paralytic13—“Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”14 9:7 And he stood up and went home.15 9:8 When16 the crowd saw this, they were afraid17 and honored God who had given such authority to men.18