A House Divided

¹⁴ Now^(A) he was driving out a demon^(B) that was mute.^(C) When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. ¹⁵ But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul,^(D) the ruler^(E) of the demons.”^{(F) 16} And others, as a test,^(G) were demanding of him a sign^(H) from heaven.

¹⁷ Knowing their thoughts,^(I) he told them, “Every kingdom divided^(J) against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. ¹⁸ If Satan^(K) also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom^(L) stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons^(M) drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. ²⁰ If I drive out demons by the finger of God,^(N) then the kingdom of God^(O) has come upon you. ²¹ When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. ²² But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers^(P) him, he takes from him all his weapons^[a](Q) he trusted^(R) in, and divides up his plunder.^{(S) 23} Anyone who is not with me is against me,^(T) and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.

An Unclean Spirit’s Return

²⁴ “When^(U) an unclean spirit^(V) comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest,^(W) and not finding rest, it then^[b] says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ ²⁵ Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and brings seven other spirits^(X) more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.”^(Y)

True Blessedness

²⁷ As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd^(Z) raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!” ^(AA)

²⁸ He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God^(AB) and keep it.”^(AC)