²⁵Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned to them and said, ²⁶“If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples. ²⁷So those who do not carry their crosses and follow me cannot be my disciples.

²⁸“Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to finish it. ²⁹Otherwise, if you lay a foundation and can’t finish the building, everyone who watches will make fun of you. ³⁰They’ll say, ‘This person started to build but couldn’t finish the job.’

³¹“Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers? ³²If he can’t, he’ll send ambassadors to ask for terms of peace while the other king is still far away. ³³In the same way, none of you can be my disciples unless you give up everything.

³⁴“Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how will you restore its flavor?

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