14. One time Jesus was sending out a demon who could not talk. When the demon came out, the man who had been unable to speak, then spoke. The people were amazed.
15. But some of them said, “Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people.”
16. Other people, wanting to test Jesus, asked him to give them a sign from heaven.
17. But knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And a family that is divided against itself will not continue.
18. So if Satan is divided against himself, his kingdom will not continue. You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons.
19. But if I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons, what power do your people use to force demons out? So they will be your judges.
20. But if I use the power of God to force out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
21. “When a strong person with many weapons guards his own house, his possessions are safe.