²⁵ Knowing their thoughts,^(A) He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. ²⁶ If Satan^(B) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges.^{(C) 28} If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.^{(D) 29} How can someone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up^(E) the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

¹⁷ Knowing their thoughts,^(A) He told them: “Every kingdom divided^(B) against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. ¹⁸ If Satan^(C) also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom^(D) stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons^[a](E) drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges. ²⁰ If I drive out demons by the finger of God,^(F) then the kingdom of God^(G) has come to you. ²¹ When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure.^{[b] 22} But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers^(H) him, he takes from him all his weapons^[c](I) he trusted^(J) in, and divides up his plunder.^(K)