19
If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That's why they will be your judges.
20
But if I force out demons with the help of God's power, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
21
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe.
22
But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.
23
"Whoever isn't with me is against me. Whoever doesn't gather with me scatters.
24
"When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn't find any. Then it says, 'I'll go back to the home I left.'
25
When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order.
26
Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before."
27
While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, "How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you."
28
Jesus replied, "Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God's word."
29
As the people were gathering around him, Jesus said, "The people living today are evil. They look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah.