16 u“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. vTherefore be wise as serpents and wharmless 6as doves. 17 But beware of men, for xthey will deliver you up to councils and yscourge you in their synagogues. 18 zYou will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 aBut when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For bit will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 cfor it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 d“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And eyou will be hated by all for My name’s sake. fBut he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 gWhen they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have hgone through the cities of Israel ibefore the Son of Man comes.

24 j“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If kthey have called the master of the house 7Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. lFor there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, mspeak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 nAnd do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather ofear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in 8hell. 29 Are not two psparrows sold for a 9copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 qBut the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

32 r“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, shim I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 tBut whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

34 u“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to v‘set 1a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and w‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 xHe who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 yAnd he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 zHe who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.