141Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
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But some of them said, "He casts out demons 2by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,"
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while others, 3to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.
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4But he, 5knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.
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And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
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And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, 6by whom do 7your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
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But if it is by 8the finger of God that I cast out demons, then 9the kingdom of God has come upon you.
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When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;
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10but when one stronger than he attacks him and 11overcomes him, he takes away his 12armor in which he trusted and 13divides his spoil.
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14Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
2415"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through 16waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'
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And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.
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Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And 17the last state of that person is worse than the first."
True Blessedness
27 As he said these things, 18a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 19"Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!"
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But he said, 20"Blessed rather are those 21who hear the word of God and 22keep it!"