19
He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.
20
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21
And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
22
Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.
23
The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”
24
But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”
25
Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
26
And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.
27
And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.
28
But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
29
For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.