14

And he was sending an evil spirit out of a man who was without the power of talking. And it came about that when the spirit had gone the man had the power of talking and the people were full of wonder.

15

But some of them said, He sends out evil spirits by Beelzebul, the ruler of evil spirits.

16

And others, testing him, were looking for a sign from heaven from him.

17

But he, having knowledge of their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom in which there is division is made waste and a house in which there is division comes to destruction.

18

If, then, Satan is at war with himself, how will he keep his kingdom? because you say that I send evil spirits out of men by the help of Beelzebul.

19

And if I, by Beelzebul, send out evil spirits, by whose help do your sons send them out? so let them be your judges.

20

But if I, by the finger of God, send out evil spirits, then the kingdom of God has overtaken you.

21

When the strong man armed keeps watch over his house, then his goods are safe:

22

But when one who is stronger makes an attack on him and overcomes him, he takes away his instruments of war, in which he had put his faith, and makes division of his goods.

23

He who is not with me is against me, and he who will not give me help in getting people together is driving them away.

24

The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of a man, goes through dry places, looking for rest and when he does not get it, he says, I will go back to my house from which I came.

25

And when he comes, he sees that it has been made fair and clean.

26

Then he goes and gets seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they go in, and take their places there: and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.

27

And it came about that when he said these things, a certain woman among the people said in a loud voice, Happy is the body which gave you birth, and the breasts from which you took milk.

28

But he said, More happy are they who give hearing to the word of God and keep it.