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)

²⁴ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ²⁵ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”^(L)

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”^(M)

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God^(N) and obey it.”^(O)

⁸ But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded^(A) him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized^(B) him and said, “You must die!^{(C) 9} Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?”^(D) And all the people crowded^(E) around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

¹⁰ When the officials^(F) of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate^(G) of the Lord’s house. ¹¹ Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death^(H) because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!”^(I)

¹² Then Jeremiah said to all the officials^(J) and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy^(K) against this house and this city all the things you have heard.^{(L) 13} Now reform^(M) your ways and your actions and obey^(N) the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent^(O) and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. ¹⁴ As for me, I am in your hands;^(P) do with me whatever you think is good and right. ¹⁵ Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood^(Q) on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words^(R) in your hearing.”

5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(A) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(B) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(C) and gave himself up for us^(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(E)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(I) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(J)—has any inheritance^(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](L) 6} Let no one deceive you^(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(N) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(O) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(Q) 9} (for the fruit^(R) of the light consists in all goodness,^(S) righteousness and truth)