And they were all so amazed and almost terrified that they kept questioning and demanding one of another, saying, What is this? What new (fresh) teaching! With authority He gives orders even to the unclean spirits and they obey Him!

And immediately rumors concerning Him spread [everywhere] throughout all the region surrounding Galilee.

And at once He left the synagogue and went into the house of Simon [Peter] and Andrew, accompanied by James and John.

Now Simon’s mother-in-law had for some time been lying sick with a fever, and at once they told Him about her.

And He went up to her and took her by the hand and raised her up; and the fever left her, and she began to wait on them.

Now when it was evening, after the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those under the power of demons,

And He cured many who were afflicted with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to talk because they knew Him [intuitively].

And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.

And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out],

And they found Him and said to Him, Everybody is looking for You.

And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.

And a leper came to Him, begging Him on his knees and saying to Him, If You are willing, You are able to make me clean.

And being moved with pity and sympathy, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be made clean!

And at once the leprosy [completely] left him and he was made clean [by being healed].

And Jesus charged him sternly (sharply and threateningly, and with earnest admonition) and [acting with deep feeling thrust him forth and] sent him away at once,

And said to him, See that you tell nothing [of this] to anyone; but begone, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your purification what Moses commanded, as a proof (an evidence and witness) to the people [that you are really healed].

But he went out and began to talk so freely about it and blaze abroad the news [spreading it everywhere] that [Jesus] could no longer openly go into a town but was outside in [lonely] desert places. But the people kept on coming to Him from all sides and every quarter.

And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter’s].

And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word.

Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men.

And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay.

And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God].

Why does this Man talk like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins [remove guilt, remit the penalty, and bestow righteousness instead] except God alone?

And at once Jesus, becoming fully aware in His spirit that they thus debated within themselves, said to them, Why do you argue (debate, reason) about all this in your hearts?

Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, Your sins are forgiven and put away, or to say, Rise, take up your sleeping pad or mat, and start walking about [and keep on walking]?