Matthew 10:29–42

²⁹Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it. ³⁰God even knows how many hairs are on your head. ³¹So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Tell People About Your Faith

³²“All those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me. ³³But all who stand before others and say they do not believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they do not belong to me.

³⁴“Don’t think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵I have come so that

‘a son will be against his father,

a daughter will be against her mother,

a daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law.

³⁶A person’s enemies will be members of his own family.’

³⁷“Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. ³⁸Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life. ⁴⁰Whoever accepts you also accepts me, and whoever accepts me also accepts the One who sent me. ⁴¹Whoever meets a prophet and accepts him will receive the reward of a prophet. And whoever accepts a good person because that person is good will receive the reward of a good person. ⁴²Those who give one of these little ones a cup of cold water because they are my followers will truly get their reward.”