More healing, more casting out demons, a girl is raised that was dead and Jesus calls Matthew. We have talked about the authority Jesus had on the earth. In this chapter he explains to the scribes he has the authority to forgive sins.

Matthew 9

He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

2 They brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the man “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.”

3 Certain of the scribes said to themselves “This man blasphemes.” 

4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say ‘Arise, and walk?’

6 But so that you may know the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man) “Arise, take up your bed, and go home.” 

7 And he arose and went to his house.

8 When the crowds saw it, they were amazed, and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

9 As Jesus passed on from there he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the tax booth: and he said to him “Follow me.” He arose and followed him.

10 As Jesus reclined at table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 When the Pharisees saw it they said to his disciples “Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 But when Jesus heard that, he said to them “Those that are well do not need a physician, but those that are sick.

13 But you go and learn what this means: ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

14 Then the disciples of John came to him saying “Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but your disciples do not fast?”

15 Jesus said to them “Can the wedding guests be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom is taken from them, and then shall they fast.

16 No man puts a piece of new cloth onto an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

17 Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins: or else the skins break, and the wine runs out, and the wineskins are ruined: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”

18 While he spoke these things to them, a certain ruler came in, and worshiped him, saying “My daughter is dead now: but come and lay your hand on her, and she shall live.”

19 And Jesus got up and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20 Just then a woman, with a bleeding disorder for twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

21 For she said to herself “If I may just touch his garment, I shall be well.” 

22 But Jesus turned about, and when he saw her said “Daughter, take heart; your faith has made you well.” And instantly she was made well. 

23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the people making a noise,

24 He said to them “Leave, for the girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at him. 

25 But when the people were put out, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

26 And the news of it spread through all the land.

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying “Son of David, have mercy on us.” 

28 When he came into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him “Yes Lord.” 

29 Then he touched their eyes, saying “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 

30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them “See that no one knows it.”

31 But when they departed, they spread abroad his fame in all that country.

32 Just as they went out, a demon possessed man unable to speak was brought to him.

33 And when the demon was cast out, the man spoke: and the crowds marvelled, saying, “This has never been seen in Israel.”

34 But the Pharisees said “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

35 Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

36 But when he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.

37 Then he said to his disciples “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

38 Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his harvest.”

See also: Matthew 9 in ESV, HCSB, NASB, NIV via Bible Gateway.