A House Divided

22 Then a demon-possessed man(A) who was blind and unable to speak was brought to him. He healed him, so that the man[a] could both speak and see.(B) 23 All the crowds were astounded and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” (C)

24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”(D)

25 Knowing their thoughts,(E) 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(F) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.(G) 28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.(H) 29 How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up(I) the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. 30 Anyone who is not with me is against me,(J) and anyone who does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore,(K) I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy,(L) but the blasphemy against[b] the Spirit will not be forgiven.[c] 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man,(M) 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.(N)

A Tree and Its Fruit

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad[d] and its fruit will be 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 person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.(Q) 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment(R) people will have to account(S) for every careless[e] word they speak.[f] 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

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Footnotes

  1. 12:22 Lit mute
  2. 12:31 Or of
  3. 12:31 Other mss add people
  4. 12:33 Or decayed; lit rotten
  5. 12:36 Lit worthless
  6. 12:36 Lit will speak

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