15. He knew about this, so he left that place.Many people followed him, and he cured all of them.
16. He also ordered them not to tell people who he was.
17. So what the prophet Isaiah had said came true:
18. “Here is my servantwhom I have chosen,whom I love,and in whom I delight.I will put my Spirit on him,and he will announce justice to the nations.
19. He will not quarrel or shout,and no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20. He will not break off a damaged cattail.He will not even put out a smoking wickuntil he has made justice victorious.
21. The nations will have hope because of him.”
22. Then some people brought Jesus a man possessed by a demon. The demon made the man blind and unable to talk. Jesus cured him so that he could talk and see.
23. The crowds were all amazed and said, “Can this man be the Son of David?”
24. When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.”
25. Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. And every city or household divided against itself will not last.
26. If Satan forces Satan out, he is divided against himself. How, then, can his kingdom last?
27. If I force demons out of people with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges.
28. But if I force demons out with the help of God’s Spirit, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
29. How can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property? First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through his house and steal his property.
30. “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.
31. So I can guarantee that people will be forgiven for any sin or cursing. However, cursing the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next.
33. “Make a tree good, and then its fruit will be good. Or make a tree rotten, and then its fruit will be rotten. A person can recognize a tree by its fruit.