28. But suppose I drive out demons by the Spirit of God. Then God's kingdom has come to you.
29. "Or think about this. How can you enter a strong man's house and just take what the man owns? You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.
30. "Anyone who is not with me is against me. Anyone who does not gather sheep with me scatters them.
31. So here is what I tell you. Every sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
32. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won't be forgiven either now or in days to come.
33. "If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good. If you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad. You can tell a tree by its fruit.
34. "You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts.
35. A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away inside him.
36. But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken.
37. By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty."
38. Some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39. He answered, "Evil and unfaithful people ask for a miraculous sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah.