Jesus traversed all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom and healing all kinds of disease and illness among the people. Reports about Him spread to all Syria and they brought to Him all who suffered from various ailments and pains - demoniacs, epileptics and paralytics. And He healed them. Great throngs followed Him out of Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan.

   But the Pharisees went away and devised a plot against Him so that they might destroy Him.

   Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from that place. Many followed Him and He healed them all and charged them not to make Him known, that what was said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, "Behold My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in Whom My soul delights; I will invest Him with My Spirit and He will announce justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or shout, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed; He will not extinguish a smoldering wick until He carries justice to victory. And the nations will hope in His name."

   Then a demon-possessed man - he was both blind and unable to talk - was brought to Jesus, and Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see. The crowd was amazed. "Maybe Jesus is the Messiah!" they exclaimed. But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle they said, "He can cast out demons because He is Satan, king of devils."

   Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, "A divided kingdom ends in ruin. A city or home divided against itself cannot stand. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself, and destroying his own kingdom. And if, as you claim, I am casting out demons by invoking the powers of Satan, then what power do your own people use when they cast them out? Let them answer your accusation! But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. One cannot rob Satan's kingdom without first binding Satan. Only then can his demons be cast out! Anyone who isn't helping Me is hurting Me. Even blasphemy against me or any other sin, can be forgiven - all except one; speaking against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come."

Taken from Mt. 4, 12, The Modern Language Bible and The Living Bible.
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