^{18 Ref} And lo, men bearing upon a couch a man, who hath been struck with palsy, and they were seeking to bring him in, and to place before him,

^{19 Ref} and not having found by what way they may bring him in because of the multitude, having gone up on the house-top, through the tiles they let him down, with the little couch, into the midst before Jesus,

^{20 Ref} and he having seen their faith, said to him, `Man, thy sins have been forgiven thee.'

^{21 Ref} And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, `Who is this that doth speak evil words? who is able to forgive sins, except God only?'

^{22 Ref} And Jesus having known their reasonings, answering, said unto them, `What reason ye in your hearts?

^{23 Ref} which is easier -- to say, Thy sins have been forgiven thee? or to say, Arise, and walk?

^{24 Ref} `And that ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority upon the earth to forgive sins -- (he said to the one struck with palsy) -- I say to thee, Arise, and having taken up thy little couch, be going on to thy house.'

^{25 Ref} And presently having risen before them, having taken up `that' on which he was lying, he went away to his house, glorifying God,

^{26 Ref} and astonishment took all, and they were glorifying God, and were filled with fear, saying -- `We saw strange things to-day.'

^{18 Ref} Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.

^{19 Ref} Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus.

^{20 Ref} Seeing their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

^{21 Ref} The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

^{22 Ref} But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, "Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?

^{23 Ref} Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you;' or to say, 'Arise and walk?'

^{24 Ref} But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (he said to the paralyzed man), "I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house."

^{25 Ref} Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.

^{26 Ref} Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."