6. for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’
7. and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’
8. I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
9. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?
12. Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
13. If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
14. He was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed.
15. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”
16. Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
17. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.
18. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
19. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
20. But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.
22. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.