9 Is it easier to say to this man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?
10 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk.
11 "I tell you," he said, "get up. Take your mat and go home."
12 The man got up and took his mat. Then he walked away while everyone watched. All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, "We have never seen anything like this!"
13 Once again Jesus went out beside the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd came to him. He began to teach them.
14 As he walked along he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him. Levi got up and followed him.
15 Later Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house. Many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples. They were part of the large crowd following Jesus.