< Matthew 9 >
1 Then having gone aboard the bark, he repassed, and went to his own city;
2 where they brought to him a paralytic, laid upon a bed. Jesus perceiving their faith, said to the paralytic, Son, take courage, your sins are forgiven you.
3 On which some of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes.
4 But Jesus knowing their sentiments, said, Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
5 Which is easier--to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, with effect --Arise and walk?
6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power upon the earth to forgive sins; Arise, then, (said he to the paralytic, ) take up your bed and go home.
7 Accordingly he arose, and went home.
8 And the people saw and wondered, glorifying God, who had given such power to men.
9 As Jesus departed thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the toll office; to whom he said, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
10 Afterward Jesus being at table in a house, many publicans and sinners came, and placed themselves with him and his disciples.
11 Some of the Pharisees observing this, said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with publicans and sinners?
12 Jesus hearing them, answered, The whole need not a physician, but the sick.
13 Go, therefore, and learn what this means, "I desire humanity, and not sacrifice:" for I came to call, not the righteous, but sinners.
14 Then John's disciples addressing him, said, We and the Pharisees often fast: why do your disciples never fast?
15 Jesus answered, Can the bridemen mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast.
16 No person mends an old garment with undressed cloth; else the patch itself tears the garment, and makes a greater rent.
17 Neither do people put new wine into old leather bottles; otherwise the bottles burst: and thus, both the wine is spilt, and the bottles are rendered useless. But they put new wine into new bottles, and bother are preserved.
18 While he was speaking, a ruler came, and prostrating himself, said, My daughter is by this time dead; but come, and lay your hand upon her, and she will revive.
19 And Jesus arose, and, as he followed him, with his disciples,
20 a woman, who had been twelve years afflicted with a bloody issue, coming behind, touched the tuft of his mantle;
21 for she said within herself, If I but touch his mantle, I shall recover.
22 Jesus turning about, saw her, and said, Daughter, take courage, your faith has cured you. And the woman was well from that instant.
23 Being come into the ruler's house, and seeing the players on the flute, with the crowd, making a bustle,
24 he said to them, Withdraw, for the young woman is not dead, but asleep. And they derided him:
25 but when the people were put out, he entered, and having taken her by the hand, the young woman arose.
26 Now the fame of this action spread through all the country.
27 When Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, Son of David, have pity upon us.
28 Being come into the house, the blind men approached him: and Jesus said to them, Do you believe I can do this? They answered, Yes, Master.
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, Be it to you according to your faith.
30 Immediately their eyes were opened. And Jesus strictly charging them, said, Take care that no person know it.
31 But being departed, they spread his fame through all that country.
32 They were scarcely gone, when a dumb demoniac was presented to him.
33 The demon being expelled, the dumb spoke, and the people wondered, saying, Nothing like this was ever seen in Israel.
34 But the Pharisees said, He expels the demons by the prince of the demons.
35 Then Jesus went through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the glad tidings of the Reign, and curing every disease and every malady.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he had compassion upon them, because they were scattered and exposed, like a flock without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the reapers are few:
38 entreat, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send laborers to reap it.
