A HOUSE DIVIDED

14 Nowi he was driving out a demonj that was mute.k When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul,l the rulerm of the demons.”n 16 And others, as a test,o were demanding of him a signp from heaven.

17 Knowing their thoughts,q he told them, “Every kingdom dividedr against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satans also is divided against himself, how will his kingdomt stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sonsu drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God,v then the kingdom of Godw has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowersx him, he takes from him all his weapons* y he trustedz in, and divides up his plunder.aa 23 Anyone who is not with me is against me,ab and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.

AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT’S RETURN

24 “Whenac an unclean spiritad comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest,ae and not finding rest, it thenD says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ 25 Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spiritsaf more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.”ag

TRUE BLESSEDNESS

27 As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowdah raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!”ai

28 He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of Godaj and keep it.”ak