4. Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.' "
5. Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose someone has a friend. He goes to him at midnight. He says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.
6. A friend of mine on a journey has come to stay with me. I have nothing for him to eat.'
7. "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked. My children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'
8. "I tell you, that person will not get up. And he won't give the man bread just because he is his friend. But because the man keeps on asking, he will get up. He will give him as much as he needs.
9. "So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.
10. Everyone who asks will receive. He who searches will find. And the door will be opened to the one who knocks.
11. "Fathers, suppose your son asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake instead?
12. Or suppose he asks for an egg. Which of you will give him a scorpion?
13. Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
14. Jesus was driving out a demon. The man who had the demon could not speak. When the demon left, the man began to speak. The crowd was amazed.
15. But some of them said, "Jesus is driving out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons."
16. Others put Jesus to the test by asking for a miraculous sign from heaven.
17. Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Any kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. A family that is divided against itself will fall.
18. If Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom stand? "I say this because of what you claim. You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebub.
19. Suppose I do drive out demons with Beelzebub's help. With whose help do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
20. But suppose I drive out demons with the help of God's powerful finger. Then God's kingdom has come to you.
21. "When a strong man is completely armed and guards his house, what he owns is safe.
22. But when someone stronger attacks, he is overpowered. The attacker takes away the armor the man had trusted in. Then he divides up what he has stolen.
23. "Anyone who is not with me is against me. Anyone who does not gather sheep with me scatters them.
24. "What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a man? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn't find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'