And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she served them.

Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.

And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time.

Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him;

and they found Him and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

He *said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also preach there; for this is why I came.”

And He went into their synagogues preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons.

And a man with leprosy *came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away,

and He *said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them.

And some people *came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men.

And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts,

“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?”

Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, *said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —He *said to the paralyzed man,

“I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.”

And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them.

Levi (Matthew) Called

As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.