Jesus and Beelzebul

14 (A)Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons (B)by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, (C)to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 (D)But he, (E)knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, (F)by whom do (G)your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by (H)the finger of God that I cast out demons, then (I)the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 (J)but when one stronger than he attacks him and (K)overcomes him, he takes away his (L)armor in which he trusted and (M)divides his spoil. 23 (N)Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

24 (O)“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through (P)waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And (Q)the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

True Blessedness

27 As he said these things, (R)a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, (S)“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, (T)“Blessed rather are those (U)who hear the word of God and (V)keep it!”

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Jesus and Beelzebul(A)(B)

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.(C) 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul,(D) the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”(E) 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.(F)

17 Jesus knew their thoughts(G) and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan(H) is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,(I) then the kingdom of God(J) has come upon you.

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.(K)

24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”(L)

27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”(M)

28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God(N) and obey it.”(O)

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My Soul Thirsts for You

A Psalm of David.

143 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    (A)give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your (B)faithfulness answer me, in your (C)righteousness!
(D)Enter not into judgment with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous (E)before you.

For the enemy has pursued my soul;
    (F)he has crushed my life to the ground;
    (G)he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit (H)faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.

(I)I remember the days of old;
    (J)I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
(K)I stretch out my hands to you;
    (L)my soul thirsts for you like (M)a parched land. Selah

(N)Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    (O)My spirit fails!
(P)Hide not your face from me,
    (Q)lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
(R)Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I (S)trust.
(T)Make me know the way I should go,
    (U)for to you I lift up my soul.

(V)Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
    I have fled to you for refuge.[a]
10 (W)Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
(X)Let your good Spirit (Y)lead me
    on (Z)level ground!

11 (AA)For your name's sake, O Lord, (AB)preserve my life!
    In your righteousness (AC)bring my soul out of trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will (AD)cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your (AE)servant.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 143:9 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts To you I have covered

Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

Lord, hear my prayer,(A)
    listen to my cry for mercy;(B)
in your faithfulness(C) and righteousness(D)
    come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous(E) before you.
The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness(F)
    like those long dead.(G)
So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.(H)
I remember(I) the days of long ago;
    I meditate(J) on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands(K) to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

Answer me quickly,(L) Lord;
    my spirit fails.(M)
Do not hide your face(N) from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,(O)
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way(P) I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.(Q)
Rescue me(R) from my enemies,(S) Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me(T) to do your will,
    for you are my God;(U)
may your good Spirit
    lead(V) me on level ground.(W)

11 For your name’s sake,(X) Lord, preserve my life;(Y)
    in your righteousness,(Z) bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;(AA)
    destroy all my foes,(AB)
    for I am your servant.(AC)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 143:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.