²⁵ But Jesus ^(A)knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. ²⁶ If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. ²⁸ But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, ^(B)surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. ^29 (C)Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

^17 (A)But ^(B)He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. ¹⁸ If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. ¹⁹ And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I cast out demons ^(C)with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. ^21 (D)When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. ²² But ^(E)when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his ^[a]spoils.