14And he was casting out a deaf and mute demon. Then it happened that after the demon had gone out, the deaf and mute man spoke, and the crowds marveled.15Some of them then said, "He expels the demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."16Others, testing him, were seeking a sign from heaven from him.17But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and house falls upon house."18If Satan also has been divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I expel the demons by Beelzebul.19If I expel the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons expel them? Therefore they will be your judges.20But if I expel the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.21When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own courtyard in peace, his possessions remain undisturbed.22But when one stronger than he attacks and conquers him, he takes away the armor in which he trusted and distributes his spoils.23The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters.24When the unclean spirit has gone out from the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and when it does not find any, it says, "I will return to my house from which I came out."25And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and after they enter, they dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.27While he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed."28But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it."