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"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom
of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark
1:15)
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by
four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they
opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let
down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus
saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are
forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there
asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way?
He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
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Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were
thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such
things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and
walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
to forgive sins on earth"-- he said to the paralytic, "I say
to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose,
picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of
everyone. They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like
this." (Mark 2:3-13)
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