18 Just then some men came,  * 5:18–26 Mt 9:2–8; Mk 2:3–12 carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before him. 19 Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus.

20 Seeing their faith he said, "Friend,* 5:20 Lit "Manyour sins are forgiven."

21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees  * 5:21 Mt 23:2; Lk 11:53; Jn 8:3 began to think to themselves, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? "  * 5:21 Is 43:25

22 But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, "Why are you thinking this in your hearts?* 5:22 Or minds23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"  — he told the paralyzed man, "I tell you: Get up, take your stretcher, and go home."

25 Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.  * 5:25 Lk 7:16; 13:13; 17:15; 18:43; 23:47