3 Four of those who came were carrying a man who could not walk.
4 But they could not get him close to Jesus because of the crowd. So they made a hole in the roof above Jesus. Then they lowered the man through it on a mat.
5 Jesus saw their faith. So he said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6 Some teachers of the law were sitting there. They were thinking,
7 "Why is this fellow talking like that? He's saying a very evil thing! Only God can forgive sins!"
8 Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?
9 Is it easier to say to this man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?