Matthew 10:16-39

16“1Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so 2be 3shrewd as serpents and 4innocent as doves. 17But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the 5courts and scourge you 6in their synagogues; 18and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 197But when they hand you over, 8do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20For 9it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21“10Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and 11children will rise up against parents and 12cause them to be put to death. 2213You will be hated by all because of My name, but 14it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

23“But whenever they 15persecute you in 16one city, flee to 17the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel 18until the Son of Man comes.

24“19A 20disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. 21If they have called the head of the house 2223Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!

26“Therefore do not 24fear them, 25for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 2726What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim 27upon the housetops. 28Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather 28fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in 2930hell. 2931Are not two sparrows sold for a 32cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30But 33the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So do not fear; 34you are more valuable than many sparrows.

32“Therefore 35everyone who 36confesses Me before men, I will also confess 37him before My Father who is in heaven. 33But 38whoever 39denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

34“40Do not think that I came to 41bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I came to 42set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and 43a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

37“44He 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 45he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 3946He who has found his 47life will lose it, and he who has lost his 48life for My sake will find it.