6. because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’
7. Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’
8. I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9. “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
10. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?
12. Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? ”
14. Now He was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute, spoke, and the crowds were amazed.
15. But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons! ”
16. And others, as a test, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.
17. Knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.
18. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul.
19. And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges.
20. If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
21. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure.
22. But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.
23. Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.
24. “When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, ‘I’ll go back to my house where I came from.’