Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law^(A)(B)

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered,^(C) so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.^{(D) 21} When his family^[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”^(E)

²² And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem^(F) said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul!^(G) By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”^(H)

²³ So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables:^(I) “How can Satan^(J) drive out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.^(A)

Causing to Stumble

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,^(B) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.^{(C) 43} If your hand causes you to stumble,^(D) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,^(E) where the fire never goes out.^{(F) [44] [a] 45} And if your foot causes you to stumble,^(G) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.^{(H) [46] [b] 47} And if your eye causes you to stumble,^(I) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,^(J)

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.^(A) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior^(B) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,^(C) the Lord.^{(D) 12} This will be a sign^(E) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

⁵³ For the perishable^(A) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(B) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[a](C)

⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(A) holding promise for both the present life^(B) and the life to come.^(C)