Matthew 12:22-37

22Then some people brought Jesus a man possessed by a demon. The demon made the man blind and unable to talk. Jesus cured him so that he could talk and see.

23The crowds were all amazed and said, “Can this man be the Son of David?”

24When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.”

25Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. And every city or household divided against itself will not last.

26If Satan forces Satan out, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom last?

27If I force demons out of people with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges.

28But if I force demons out with the help of God’s Spirit, then God’s kingdom has come to you.

29How can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property? First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through his house and steal his property.

30“Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.

31So I can guarantee that people will be forgiven for any sin or cursing. However, cursing the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next.

33“Make a tree good, and then its fruit will be good. Or make a tree rotten, and then its fruit will be rotten. A person can recognize a tree by its fruit.

34You poisonous snakes! How can you evil people say anything good? Your mouth says what comes from inside you.

35Good people do the good things that are in them. But evil people do the evil things that are in them.

36“I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say.

37By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty.”