PERSECUTIONS PREDICTED

16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.a 17 Beware of them, because they will hand you over to local courtsA and flog you in their synagogues.b 18 You will even be brought before governors and kings because of me, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.c 19 But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you are to speak.d For you will be given what to say at that hour, 20 because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirite of your Father is speaking through you.f

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.g 22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name.h But the one who endures to the end will be saved.i 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.j For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.