A HOUSE DIVIDED

22 Then a demon-possessed mang who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the manD could both speak and see.h 23 All the crowds were astounded and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”i

24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”j

25 Knowing their thoughts,k he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satanl drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.m 28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.n 29 How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties upo the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. 30 Anyone who is not with me is against me,p and anyone who does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore,q I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy,r but the blasphemy againstE the Spirit will not be forgiven.F 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man,s it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.t