²³ but I gave them this command:^(A) Obey^(B) me, and I will be your God and you will be my people.^(C) Walk in obedience to all^(D) I command you, that it may go well^(E) with you. ²⁴ But they did not listen^(F) or pay attention;^(G) instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.^(H) They went backward^(I) and not forward. ²⁵ From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again^(J) I sent you my servants^(K) the prophets.^{(L) 26} But they did not listen to me or pay attention.^(M) They were stiff-necked^(N) and did more evil than their ancestors.’^(O)

²⁷ “When you tell^(P) them all this, they will not listen^(Q) to you; when you call to them, they will not answer.^{(R) 28} Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction.^(S) Truth^(T) has perished; it has vanished from their lips.

Jesus and Beelzebul^(A)(B)

¹⁴ Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.^{(C) 15} But some of them said, “By Beelzebul,^(D) the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”^{(E) 16} Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.^(F)

¹⁷ Jesus knew their thoughts^(G) and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. ¹⁸ If Satan^(H) is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹ Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,^(I) then the kingdom of God^(J) has come upon you.

²¹ “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²² But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

²³ “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.^(K)