AUV(i)
17 And someone in the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who is dominated by a spirit which causes him to be a mute.
18 Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I spoke to your disciples, asking them to drive it out, but they were not able to.”
19 Jesus said to them, “You generation of faithless people How long must I be with you [i.e., before you understand]? How long do I have to be patient with you? Bring the sick boy to me.”
20 Then they [i.e., some people from the crowd] brought the sick boy to Jesus, and when the spirit saw Him, it immediately caused the boy to have convulsions and to fall to the ground and roll around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he answered, “Since he was a small child.
22 And frequently the evil spirit has tried to kill him, throwing him into a fire or into the water. But if you can do anything [for him], have pity on us and help us.”
23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can.’ [Note: By repeating the man’s words Jesus seems to be saying, “You mean, if YOU can believe”]. Everything is possible to the person who believes [it can happen].”
24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help me to have more faith.”
25 When Jesus saw a crowd running together [toward Him], He spoke sternly to the evil spirit [in the boy], saying to it, “You deaf-mute spirit, I order you to come out of this boy and to never return to him again.”