^{Luke 11:14-26}

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, by whom do your sons drive them out? 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 upon 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 person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ ²⁵ Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.”