Matthew 10:25-40

25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the bond-servant like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul (Satan), how much more [will they speak evil of] the members of his household.

26“So do not be afraid of them, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed [at the judgment], or kept secret that will not be made known [at the judgment].

27What I say to you in the dark (privately), tell in the light (publicly); and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops [to many people].

28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

29Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

30But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge].

31So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

32“Therefore, the one who confesses and acknowledges Me before men [as Lord and Savior, affirming a state of oneness with Me], that one I will also confess and acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven.

33But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven.

34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].

35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

36and a man’s enemies will be the members of his [own] household [when one believes and another does not].

37“ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

38And he who does not take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me.

39Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

40“He who receives and welcomes you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.