Matthew 12:24–37

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

25 Knowing their thoughts, b He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satan c drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges. d 28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. e 29 How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up f the strong man? Then he can rob his house. 30 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, g and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters. 31 Because of this, h I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, i but the blasphemy against j the Spirit will not be forgiven. k 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, l 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. m

A Tree and Its Fruit

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad n and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. o 34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow p of the heart. 35 A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, q and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. r 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment s people will have to account t for every careless word they speak. u 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”