Matthew 9:1-8

New International Reader's Version

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Man Who Could Not Walk

9 Jesus stepped into a boat. He went over to the other side of the lake and came to his own town. ² Some men brought to him a man who could not walk. He was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that they had faith. So he said to the man, “Don’t lose hope, son. Your sins are forgiven.”

³ Then some teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is saying a very evil thing!”

⁴ Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, “Why do you have evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’? Or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he spoke to the man who could not walk. “Get up,” he said. “Take your mat and go home.” ⁷ The man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with wonder. They praised God for giving that kind of authority to a human being.