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Others, to test Him, 1were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.
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2But He knew their thoughts and said to them, "Anykingdomdividedagainstitself is laidwaste; and a house divided againstitselffalls.
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"If3Satanalso is dividedagainsthimself, how will his kingdomstand? For you say that I cast out demons by 4Beelzebul.
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"And if I by 5Beelzebulcast out demons, by whom do your sonscast them out? So* they will be your judges.
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"But if I cast out demons by the 6finger of God, then7the kingdom of God has come upon you.
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"When a strong man, fullyarmed, guards his ownhouse, his possessions are undisturbed*.
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"But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takesaway from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder.
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"8He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.
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"9When the uncleanspiritgoes out of a man, it passesthroughwaterlessplacesseekingrest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'
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"And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.
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"Then it goes and takes along sevenotherspiritsmoreevil than itself, and they go in and livethere; and the last state of that manbecomesworse than the first."