12 22 THEN THEY BROUGHT HIM a man who was possessed; he was blind and dumb; and Jesus cured him, restoring both speech and sight. 12 23 The bystanders were all amazed, and the word went round: 'Can this be the Son of David?' 12 24 But when the Pharisees heard it they said, 'It is only by Beelzebub prince of devils that this man drives the devils out.' 12 25 He knew what was in their minds; so he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself goes to ruin; and no town, no household, that is divided against itself can stand. 12 26 And if it is Satan who casts out Satan, Satan is divided against himself; how then can his kingdom stand? 12 27 And if it is by Beelzebub that I cast out devils, by whom do your own people drive them out? If this is your argument, they themselves will refute you. 12 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out the devils, then be sure the kingdom of God has already come upon you. 12 29 'Or again, how can anyone break into a strong man's house and make off with his goods unless he has first tied the strong man up before ransacking the house? 12 30 'He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 12 31 'And so I tell you this: no sin, no slander, is beyond forgiveness for men, except slander spoken against the Spirit, and that will not be forgiven. 12 32 Any man who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit, for him there is no forgiveness, either in this age or in the age to come.