¹⁷ But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.^(A)

²³ And he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?^{(A) 24} If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. ²⁶ And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.^(B)

²⁵ He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.^{(A) 26} If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand? ²⁷ If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists^[a] cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.^{(B) 28} But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.^{(C) 29} Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered.

²³ and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.^(A)

²⁵ and needed no one to testify about anyone, for he himself knew what was in everyone.^(A)

⁴ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?^(A)

¹⁶ The Israelites fled before Judah, and God gave them into their hands.^{(A) 17} Abijah and his army defeated them with great slaughter; five hundred thousand picked men of Israel fell slain.