1 SO Jesus got into the boat and crossed over and came to his own city.

2 They brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Have courage, boy, your sins are forgiven."

3 At once some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is speaking profane words."

4 Jesus knew their thoughts and said, "Why are you thinking evil thoughts in your hearts?

5 For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" \'97 then he said to the paralytic, "Rise, take up your bed and go to your house."

7 Thereupon he rose and went away to his house.

8 The crowds that saw it were astonished and gave glory to God, who had given such power to men.

9 As Jesus was passing along from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me," and he arose and followed him.

10 It happened that, while he was reclining at table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came in and reclined at the table with Jesus and his disciples.

11 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

12 Jesus heard it and said, "The strong have no need of a physician, but the sick have.

13 Go and learn what this means: 'I wish for kindness, and not for sacrifice.' I have not come to call righteous people, but sinners."

14 Then the disciples of John came to Jesus and said, "Why are we and the Pharisees fasting while your disciples are not fasting?"

15 He said, "Can the bridal party fast while the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast.

16 No one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the filling pulls away from the cloak and the result is a worse tear.

17 Nor do they pour new wine into old wine-skins, for if they do the skins burst. So the wine is spilled and the skins are ruined. But they put new wine into fresh wine-skins and both are preserved."

18 While Jesus was talking to them, a synagogue Director came and bowed down before him and said, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand upon her and she will live."

19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20 Suddenly a woman who had been suffering for twelve years from hemorrhage came up behind him and touched the tassel of his cloak.

21 For she said to herself, "If I touch only his cloak, I shall be healed."

22 But Jesus turned and, seeing her, said, "Courage, daughter, your faith has healed you." The woman was cured from that hour.

23 Jesus entered the house of the Director and saw the flute-players and the crowd that was noisily lamenting, and he said,

24 "Leave the room, for the girl is not dead; she is sleeping." They laughed at him.

25 But after the crowd had been turned out, he went in and took hold of her hand and the girl rose up.

26 The report of this spread through all that country.

27 As Jesus was going along from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have pity on us, Son of David."

28 After he had entered the house, these blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" They said, "Yes, Sir."

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith be it to you."

30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus sternly commanded them, "Be sure and let no one know of this."

31 But they went out and spread his fame through all that country.

32 As they were going out, a dumb man who was also a demoniac was brought to him.

33 After the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke. The crowd wondered and said, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel."

34 But the Pharisees said, "Through the Chief of the demons he casts out the demons."

35 Jesus made a circuit through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.

36 Seeing the crowds, he was touched with compassion for them, for they were torn and flung down like sheep that have no shepherd.

37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.

38 Pray to the Master of the harvest to rush out laborers into his harvest."