e the
leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Then Jesus, after strictly warning
him, sent him away with the command, "See that you do not say a word to
any one, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer what Moses
commanded as proof to them that you are clean." But the man went away
and began to tell every one about it, so that Jesus could no longer
enter a city openly, but had to stay outside in lonely places; and
people from everywhere came to him.

JESUS CURES A MAN WHO CANNOT WALK

When Jesus entered Capernaum again, after some days, it was reported
that he was at home, and so many people gathered about him that there
was no longer room for them, not even at the door. While Jesus was
preaching to them, four men came, carrying a man who was paralyzed and
could not move. As they could not get near to Jesus on account of the
crowd, they tore up the roof over his head. When they had made a hole,
they let down the bed on which the man who could not move was lying.
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to him, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
But some of the scribes sitting there said to themselves, "Why should
this man say such a thing? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins
except God alone?"

Knowing at once what they were saying, Jesus said to them, "Why do you
say these things to yourselves? Which is easier: to say to the man who
cannot move, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, take your
bed, and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has the power
on earth to forgive sins" (he said to the man who could not walk) "I say
to you, Rise, take up your bed, and go to your home." Then the man rose
and at once took up his bed and went out in the presence of them all, so
that they were all filled with wonder and praised God, saying, "We have
never seen anything like this."

JESUS MAKES EVEN WRONG-DOERS HIS FRIENDS

Then Jesus went out again beside the Sea of Galilee; and all the crowd
came to him, and he taught them. As he passed along he saw Levi, the son
of Alphaeus, sitting at the house where taxes were collected, and he said
to him, "Come with me." So Levi arose and followed him.

Now while Jesus was eating dinner in Levi's house, many tax-gatherers
and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples. The scribes and
Pharisees, seeing this, said to his disciples, "Does he eat with
tax-gatherers and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "Not
those who are well, but those who are sick have n