“This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people.”

While the people were filled with anticipation and they all wondered whether perhaps John could be the Christ,

They were all amazed and began to say to one another, “What’s happening here? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they were about to sink.

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

Just then some men showed up, carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and place him before Jesus.

Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Then astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God. They were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen incredible things today.”

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him.

But the Pharisees and their experts in the law complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

The experts in the law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a reason to accuse him.

After looking around at them all, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man did so, and his hand was restored.

“Woe to you who are well satisfied with food now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has come to help his people!”

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.”

For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

But they did not understand this statement; its meaning had been concealed from them, so that they could not grasp it. Yet they were afraid to ask him about this statement.

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he is not a disciple along with us.”

Now an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”