A Kingdom Divided

14And he was casting out a mute demon. Then, when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the crowds marveled.

15But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, he casts out demons.”

16But others, testing him, were seeking from him a sign from heaven.

17But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house falls upon a house.”

18But if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul.

19But if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

20But if I cast out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own courtyard, his possessions are secure.

22But when one stronger than he comes upon him and overpowers him, he takes away his full armor on which he had relied, and distributes his plunder.

23The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters.

24When the unclean spirit has gone out from the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house, from which I came out.’

25And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.

26Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.

27And it happened, as he was saying these things, that a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you, and the breasts that nursed you.”

28But he said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”