Jesus and Beelzebub
22 A man controlled by demons was brought to Jesus. The man was blind and could not speak. Jesus healed him. Then the man could speak and see.
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All the people were amazed. They said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
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The Pharisees heard this. So they said, "This fellow drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons."
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Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. Every city or family that is divided against itself will not stand.
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If Satan drives out Satan, he fights against himself. Then how can his kingdom stand?
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You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebub. Then by whose power do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
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But suppose I drive out demons by the Spirit of God. Then God's kingdom has come to you.
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"Or think about this. How can you enter a strong man's house and just take what the man owns? You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.
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"Anyone who is not with me is against me. Anyone who does not gather sheep with me scatters them.
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So here is what I tell you. Every sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
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Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won't be forgiven either now or in days to come.
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"If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good. If you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad. You can tell a tree by its fruit.
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"You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts.
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A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away inside him.
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But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken.
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By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty."