²⁴ When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man uses the power of Beelzebul [^Canother name for Satan], the ruler of demons, to ·force [drive; cast] demons out of people.”

²⁵ Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking, so he said to them, “Every kingdom that is ·divided against [at war with] itself ·will be destroyed [is doomed/headed for ruin]. And any city or ·family [^Lhouse] that is ·divided against [at war with] itself will not ·continue [survive; stand]. ²⁶ And if Satan ·forces out himself [^Ldrives/casts out Satan], then Satan is ·divided against [at war with] himself, and ·his kingdom will not continue [^Lhow will his kingdom stand?].