Mark 2 (The Message)  View In My Bible 1 After a few days, Jesus
returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back
home. 2 A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could
get in or out. He was teaching the Word. 3 They brought a
paraplegic to him, carried by four men. 4 When they weren't able
to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof
and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. 5 Impressed by
their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive
your sins." 6 Some religion scholars sitting there started
whispering among themselves, 7 "He can't talk that way! That's
blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins." 8 Jesus knew
right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so
skeptical? 9 Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I
forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and
start walking'? 10 Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of
Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now
at the paraplegic), 11 "Get up. P