25 And there were going on with him great multitudes, and having turned, he said unto them, 26‘If any one doth come unto me, and doth not hate his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and yet even his own life, he is not able to be my disciple; 27and whoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, is not able to be my disciple.

28 ‘For who of you, willing to build a tower, doth not first, having sat down, count the expence, whether he have the things for completing? 29lest that he having laid a foundation, and not being able to finish, all who are beholding may begin to mock him, 30saying—This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 ‘Or what king going on to engage with another king in war, doth not, having sat down, first consult if he be able with ten thousand to meet him who with twenty thousand is coming against him? 32and if not so—he being yet a long way off—having sent an embassy, he doth ask the things for peace.

33 ‘So, then, every one of you who doth not take leave of all that he himself hath, is not able to be my disciple.

34 ‘The salt is good, but if the salt doth become tasteless, with what shall it be seasoned? 35neither for land nor for manure is it fit—they cast it without. He who is having ears to hear—let him hear.’

Chapter 15