Matthew 10:29–42

²⁹For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. ³⁰As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. ³¹So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!

Confessing and Rejecting Christ

³²“For those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same before my Father in heaven. ^33*But if anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject him before my Father in heaven.

Not Peace, but a Sword

³⁴“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ^35*I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law; ^36*your worst enemies will be the members of your own family.

³⁷“Those who love their father or mother more than me are not fit to be my disciples; those who love their son or daughter more than me are not fit to be my disciples. ^38*Those who do not take up their cross and follow in my steps are not fit to be my disciples. ^39*Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.

Rewards

^40*“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹Whoever welcomes God’s messenger because he is God’s messenger, will share in his reward. And whoever welcomes a good man because he is good, will share in his reward. ⁴²You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward.”