Matthew 12:22-37

22Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and saw.

23All the people wondered in amazement, and said, “Could this be the Son of David (the Messiah)?”

24But the Pharisees heard it and said, “This man casts out demons only by [the help of] Beelzebul (Satan) the prince of the demons.”

25Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will [continue to] stand.

26If Satan casts out Satan [that is, his demons], he has become divided against himself and disunited; how then will his kingdom stand?

27If I cast out the demons by [the help of] Beelzebul (Satan), by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.

28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you [before you expected it].

29Or how can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers and ties up the strong man? Then he will ransack and rob his house.

30He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters.

31“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy [every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things] will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit.

34You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

35The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things.

36But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.

37For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced.”