24
"When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But when it finds no place, it says, 'I will go back to the house I left.'
25
And when it comes back, it finds that house swept clean and made neat.
26
Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before."
27
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out to Jesus, "Happy is the mother who gave birth to you and nursed you."
28
But Jesus said, "No, happy are those who hear the teaching of God and obey it."
29
As the crowd grew larger, Jesus said, "The people who live today are evil. They want to see a miracle for a sign, but no sign will be given them, except the sign of Jonah.
30
As Jonah was a sign for those people who lived in Nineveh, the Son of Man will be a sign for the people of this time.
31
On the Judgment Day the Queen of the Southn will stand up with the people who live now. She will show they are guilty, because she came from far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is here.
32
On the Judgment Day the people of Nineveh will stand up with the people who live now, and they will show that you are guilty. When Jonah preached to them, they were sorry and changed their lives. And I tell you that someone greater than Jonah is here.
33
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a secret place or under a bowl, but on a lampstand so the people who come in can see.
34
Your eye is a light for the body. When your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But when your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness.