Matthew 12:22-32

New Century Version

Jesus’ Power Is from God

²² Then some people brought to Jesus a man who was blind and could not talk, because he had a demon. Jesus healed the man so that he could talk and see. ²³ All the people were amazed and said, “Perhaps this man is the Son of David!”

²⁴ When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people.”

²⁵ Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking, so he said to them, “Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And any city or family that is divided against itself will not continue. ²⁶ And if Satan forces out himself, then Satan is divided against himself, and his kingdom will not continue. ²⁷ You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons. If that is true, then what power do your people use to force out demons? So they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if I use the power of God’s Spirit to force out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

²⁹ “If anyone wants to enter a strong person’s house and steal his things, he must first tie up the strong person. Then he can steal the things from the house.

³⁰ “Whoever is not with me is against me. Whoever does not work with me is working against me. ³¹ So I tell you, people can be forgiven for every sin and everything they say against God. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, now or in the future.