¹ When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house.

² Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them.

³ Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him.

⁴ When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on.

⁵ Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."

⁶ But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

⁷ "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

⁸ Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you reason these things in your hearts?

⁹ Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?'

¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic--

¹¹ "I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house."

¹² He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

⁴⁶ They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!"

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!"

⁴⁹ Jesus stood still, and said, "Call him." They called the blind man, saying to him, "Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!"

⁵⁰ He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "Rabboni, that I may see again."

⁵² Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.