33. And the whole city gathered at the door.

34. And he healed many who were afflicted with various diseases; cast out many demons, and did not allow the demons to say that they knew that He was the Christ.

35. And in the morning, rising very early, he went out and withdrew to a deserted place, and there he prayed.

36. Simon and those who were with him followed him

37. and when they find him, they say to him, 'Everyone is looking for you.'

38. He said to them, "Let us go to the villages and cities that are near, that I may preach there also, for that is why I have come."

39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout Galilee and cast out demons.

40. A leper comes to Him, and beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, he says to Him, "If you want, you can cleanse me."

41. Jesus, having compassion on him, stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I will, be cleansed."

42. After this word, the leprosy immediately disappeared from him, and he became clean.

43. And looking at him sternly, he immediately sent him away

44. And he said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a witness to them."

45. And when he went out, he began to proclaim and relate what had happened, so that Jesus could no longer enter the city openly, but was outside, in the wilderness. And they came to Him from everywhere.

Chapter 2.

1. After a few days he came again to Capernaum; and it was heard that he was in the house.

2. Immediately many were assembled, so that there was no room at the door; and he spoke a word to them.

3. And they came to him with a paralytic, who was carried by four men;

4. and not being able to approach him because of the multitude, they opened the roof of the house where he was, and having dug through it, they lowered the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

5. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Child! thy sins are forgiven thee.

6. Some of the scribes sat there and thought in their hearts:

7. why does he blaspheme in this way? who can forgive sins except God alone?