Luke 11:11-21

11 If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?
12 If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?
13 As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing - you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
14 Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise.
15 But some from the crowd were cynical. "Black magic," they said. "Some devil trick he's pulled from his sleeve."
16 Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.
17 Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, "Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces.
18 If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons,
19 but if you're slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn't the same mud stick to your own exorcists?
20 But if it's God's finger I'm pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God's kingdom is here for sure.
21 "When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.