3 Men came to him carrying a paralyzed man.

4 They could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd. So they removed the roof over the place where Jesus was. Then they lowered the cot on which the paralyzed man was lying.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he told the man: »Friend your sins are forgiven.«

6 Some of the scribes sitting there reasoned in their hearts:

7 »Why does this man speak this way? He blasphemes for only God is the one who can forgive sins.«

8 Jesus immediately discerned in his spirit that they reasoned within themselves. He asked them: »Why reason these things in your hearts?

9 »Which is easier to say to the sick man your sins are forgiven or take your bed and walk?

10 »So you may see that the Son of man has authority to forgive sins on earth,« he said to the man:

11 »Get up and take your bed, and go to your house.«

12 He got up, took the bed and went out before them all. They were all filled with wonder. They gave glory to God and said we have never seen anything like this.