Gospel: Luke 11:15-26
15 Yet some of them said, “He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.”
16 Others wanted to put him to the test, by asking him for a heavenly sign.
17 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall.
18 If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul?
19 If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons? They will be your judges, then.
20 But if I drive out demons by the fi nger of God; would not this mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you?
21 As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe.
22 But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters.
24 When the evil spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through dry lands, looking for a resting place; and fi nding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
25 When it comes, it fi nds the house swept and everything in order.
26 Then it goes to fetch seven other spirits, even worse than itself. They move in and settle there, so that the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
Source: Christian Community Bible
15 Yet some of them said, “He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.”
16 Others wanted to put him to the test, by asking him for a heavenly sign.
17 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall.
18 If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul?
19 If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons? They will be your judges, then.
20 But if I drive out demons by the fi nger of God; would not this mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you?
21 As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe.
22 But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters.
24 When the evil spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through dry lands, looking for a resting place; and fi nding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
25 When it comes, it fi nds the house swept and everything in order.
26 Then it goes to fetch seven other spirits, even worse than itself. They move in and settle there, so that the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
Source: Christian Community Bible
