Matthew 9

₁Jesus got into a boat and crossed back over to the town where he lived. ₂Some people soon brought to him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, “My friend, don't worry! Your sins are forgiven.”

₃Some teachers of the Law of Moses said to themselves, “Jesus must think he is God!”

₄But Jesus knew what was in their minds, and he said, “Why are you thinking such evil things? ₅Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? ₆But I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” ₇The man got up and went home. ₈When the crowds saw this, they were afraid and praised God for giving such authority to people.

₉As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Come with me.” Matthew got up and went with him.

₁₀Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. ₁₁Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?”

₁₂Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. ₁₃Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”

₁₄One day some followers of John the Baptist came and asked Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees often go without eating, while your disciples never do?”

₁₅Jesus answered:

₁₈While Jesus was still speaking, an official came and knelt in front of him. The man said, “My daughter has just died! Please come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again.”

₁₉Jesus and his disciples got up and went with the man.

₂₀A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. ₂₁She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.”

₂₂Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don't worry! You are now well because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed.

₂₃When Jesus went into the home of the official and saw the musicians and the crowd of mourners, ₂₄he said, “Get out of here! The little girl isn't dead. She is just asleep.” Everyone started laughing at Jesus. ₂₅But after the crowd had been sent out of the house, Jesus went to the girl's bedside. He took her by the hand and helped her up.

₂₆News about this spread all over that part of the country.

₂₇As Jesus was walking along, two blind men began following him and shouting, “Son of David, have pity on us!”

₂₈After Jesus had gone indoors, the two blind men came up to him. He asked them, “Do you believe I can make you well?”

“Yes, Lord,” they answered.

₂₉Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, you will be healed.” ₃₀They were able to see, and Jesus strictly warned them not to tell anyone about him. ₃₁But they left and talked about him to everyone in that part of the country.

₃₂As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, some people brought to him a man who could not talk because a demon was in him. ₃₃After Jesus had forced the demon out, the man started talking. The crowds were so amazed that they began saying, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!”

₃₄But the Pharisees said, “The leader of the demons gives him the power to force out demons.”

₃₅Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their meeting places and preached the good news about God's kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness. ₃₆When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ₃₇He said to his disciples, “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. ₃₈Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”