² Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,^(A) lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,^(B) he said to the man, “Take heart,^(C) son; your sins are forgiven.”^(D)

³ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”^(E)

⁴ Knowing their thoughts,^(F) Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man^(G) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”

⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(A)

²¹ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(A)