4 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking, said to them: "Why do you harbor such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven" or "Get up and go"? 6But to convince you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," he said to the paralytic, "arise, take up your bed, and go home!" 7He got up and went home. 8At the sight of this, the people were filled with awe and began to praise God, who had given such power to the people.

Matthew becomes a disciple of Jesus

9As Jesus was returning from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collection site and said to him, "Follow me."

10And when Jesus was eating at dinner[85] in the house, many tax collectors and those who were called sinners[86]b were gathered there, and they took a seat at the same table with him[87]c and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your Master eat with tax-gatherers and sinners?"

12 Jesus heard this and said: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 Go and consider the words of the Scriptures: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifices." I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

The Question of Fasting

14John's disciples then came to him and asked, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast [often], but your disciples do not fast?"

15Jesus answered: "How can the guests at the wedding feast[89] be sad while the Bridegroom is with them? The time will come when they will take away the Bridegroom from them, and then they will fast.

16For no one puts a patch of new cloth on old clothes, for such a patch will tear the old cloth, and the hole will become even larger. 17And they do not pour new wine into old skins, for these skins will burst, and then the wine will flow out, and the skins will be lost. Young wine is poured into new wineskins, and then both are preserved."

Faith brings healing and resurrection

18As Jesus was saying these things to them, one of the elders came to him and fell on his face before him and said: "My daughter has just died, but you must come and lay your hand on her, and she will live!" 19Jesus arose and followed him with his disciples.

20Then a woman who had been suffering from an issue of blood for twelve years came up to Him from behind and touched the hem of His garment, 21 she said to herself, "I will be healed[90] if I touch His garment." 22 Jesus turned around and saw her, saying, "Do not be afraid, my daughter! Your faith has brought you healing[91].a At the same moment the woman became healthy[92]b.

23When Jesus entered the elder's house, he saw flute-players and a multitude of people weeping. 24He said to them, "Come out, all of you! The girl is not dead, she is asleep!" 25When the people had been removed, Jesus went into the room where the girl was lying, took her by the hand, and she stood up.93 26The rumor of this spread throughout all that land.

By faith they also receive their sight