Persecution of Disciples

10:16 “I30 am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves,31 so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 10:17 Beware32 of people, because they will hand you over to councils33 and flog34 you in their synagogues.35 10:18 And you will be brought before governors and kings36 because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles. 10:19 Whenever37 they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say,38 for what you should say will be given to you at that time.39 10:20 For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

10:21 “Brother40 will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against41 parents and have them put to death. 10:22 And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 10:23 Whenever42 they persecute you in one place,43 flee to another. I tell you the truth,44 you will not finish going through all the towns45 of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

10:24 “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave46 greater than his master. 10:25 It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household!

Fear God, Not Man

10:26 “Do47 not be afraid of them, for nothing is hidden48 that will not be revealed,49 and nothing is secret that will not be made known. 10:27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear,50 proclaim from the housetops.51 10:28 Do52 not be afraid of those who kill the body53 but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.54 10:29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny?55 Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.56 10:30 Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. 10:31 So do not be afraid;57 you are more valuable than many sparrows.

10:32 “Whoever, then, acknowledges58 me before people, I will acknowledge59 before my Father in heaven. 10:33 But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.

Not Peace, but a Sword

10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring60 peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, 10:36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.61

10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 10:38 And whoever does not take up his cross62 and follow me is not worthy of me. 10:39 Whoever finds his life63 will lose it,64 and whoever loses his life because of me65 will find it.