₉Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, “Follow me.”

Matthew got up and followed him.

₁₀While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. ₁₁Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such people?”

₁₂Jesus heard them and answered, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. ₁₃Go and find out what is meant by the scripture that says: ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts.”

₁₈While Jesus was saying this, a Jewish official came to him, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.”

₁₉So Jesus got up and followed him, and his disciples went along with him.

₂₀A woman who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak. ₂₁She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will get well.”

₂₂Jesus turned round and saw her, and said, “Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well.

₂₃Then Jesus went into the official's house. When he saw the musicians for the funeral and the people all stirred up, ₂₄he said, “Get out, everybody! The little girl is not dead — she is only sleeping!” Then they all laughed at him. ₂₅But as soon as the people had been put out, Jesus went into the girl's room and took hold of her hand, and she got up. ₂₆The news about this spread all over that part of the country.