Luke 12:4–12

Fear God Rather Than People

⁴“And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you^* into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. ⁷But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Acknowledgement of Christ and Persecution of Disciples

⁸“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, ⁹but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. ¹⁰And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. ¹¹But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say, ¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.”