1 Jesus entered a boat and crossed over to his own city Capernaum, on the other side of the lake.

2 A man on a bed, a paralytic, was brought to Jesus. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the sick man: »Have courage; your sins are forgiven.«

3 Some of the scribes said among themselves: »This man has no respect for God.«

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said: »Why are your thoughts evil?

5 »Which is easier, to say, your sins are forgiven, or to say, get up and walk?«

6 So that you know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins he turned and spoke to the paralytic or paralyzed man: »Get up, take your bed and go to your house.«

7 He arose, and departed to his house.

8 But when the people saw it, they marveled, and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

9 Jesus moved on. He then saw Matthew seated at his work collecting taxes. He said to him: »Follow me.« He rose and followed him.

10 Jesus was a dinner guest at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 When the Pharisees saw it, they asked his disciples: »Why does your Teacher eat with the tax collectors and sinners?«

12 When he heard it, he said: »People who are well do not have need of a physician. The sick do.

13 »You should learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’; for I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.«

14 The disciples of John asked: »Why do your disciples not fast?« They frequently fasted, and so did the Pharisees.

15 Jesus replied: »Should the wedding guests mourn and also celebrate with the groom? The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.

16 »Why patch an old garment with cloth that has not been shrunk? The patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth leaving a big hole.

17 »Neither do men put new wine in old wineskins. The skins burst and the wine is lost. They put new wine in fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.«

18 While he was speaking, an official came and paid him respect. He said: »By now my daughter must be dead. Come and lay your hand on her and she will live.«

19 Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him.

20 A woman who had a hemorrhage chronic flow of blood for twelve years came behind him. She touched the border of his garment.

21 She said to herself: »If I touch his garment, I will be healed.«

22 Jesus turned to see her and said: »Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.« The woman was healed at that time.

23 Jesus went into the official’s house and saw flute players and the crowd making a lot of noise.

24 He told them to leave: »For the girl is not dead, but sleeps.« They all scornfully laughed at him.

25 The people were sent away. He went to the girl, took hold of her hand, and she got up.

26 The news about this spread to all the land.

27 Jesus left that place and walked along the road. Two blind men followed him. They shouted: »Have mercy on us, Son of David!«

28 He went into a nearby house. The blind men followed him. Jesus asked them: »Do you believe that I can heal you?« They said: »Yes Lord.«

29 He touched their eyes. »Let it be done,« he said, »according to your faith.«

30 Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly warned them: »Do not let anyone know about this.«

31 They spread the news about Jesus all over that part of the country.

32 Next, a dumb man possessed with a demon was brought to him.

33 When the demon was cast out, the dumb man spoke. The crowd marveled, saying: »We have never seen anything like this in Israel!«

34 The Pharisees complained: »He casts out demons with the help of the ruler of the demons.«

35 Jesus went to all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom. He healed every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity.

36 When he saw the large crowds of people, he was moved with compassion for them. He knew they were distressed and scattered like sheep not having a shepherd.

37 Jesus said to his disciples: »The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.

38 »Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest.«