(40)And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him: If thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me. (41)And Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched forth his hand and touched him, and says to him: I will; be thou cleansed. (42)And immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. (43)And sternly charging him, he forthwith sent him away; (44)and says to him: See thou say nothing to any one; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. (45)But he, going forth, began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the report; so that he could no longer openly enter into a city, but was without in desert places. And they came to him from every quarter. II. AND again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was heard that he is in the house. (2)And straightway many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even at the door; and he spoke the word to them. (3)And they come to him, bringing one that was palsied, borne by four. (4)And not being able to come near him, on account of the multitude, they uncovered the roof where he was; and having broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the palsied man lay. (5)And Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the palsied man: Child, thy sins are forgiven. (6)But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts: (7)Why does this man speak thus? He blasphemes. Who can forgive sins but one, God? (8)And Jesus, immediately perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them: Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (9)Which is easier, to say to the palsied man, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (10)But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he says to the palsied man,) (11)I say to thee, arise, take up thy bed, and go to thy house. (12)And he arose, and immediately taking up the bed went forth before all; so that all were amazed, and glorified God, saying: We never saw it thus. (13)And he went forth again by the sea-side; and all the multitude came to him, and he taught them. (14)And passing along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the place of receiving custom, and said to him: Follow me. And rising up he followed him. (15)And it came to pass, as he reclined at table in his house, that many publicans and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him. (16)And the scribes and the Pharisees, seeing him eating with the sinners and publicans, said to his disciples: How is it that he eats and drinks with the sinners and the publicans? (17)And Jesus, hearing it, says to them: They who are well need not a physician, but they who are sick. I came not to call righteous men, but sinners.