2 Just then  * 9:2–8 Mk 2:3–12; Lk 5:18–26 some men  * 9:2 Lit then they brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven."* 9:2 Mt 4:24; 8:10,13; 9:22; Lk 7:48; Jn 16:33

3 At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, "He’s blaspheming! "  * 9:3 Mt 26:65; Jn 10:36

4 Perceiving their thoughts,  * 9:4 Mt 12:25; Lk 6:8; 9:47; 11:17 Jesus said, "Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?* 9:4 Or minds5 For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"  — then he told the paralytic, "Get up, take your stretcher, and go home."7 So he got up and went home.