Matthew 10:29–42

²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^{b 30}And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.^{d 31}So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.^e

³²“Whoever acknowledges me before others,^f I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.^g

³⁴“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵For I have come to turn

“ ‘a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law^h—

³⁶a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’^ci

³⁷“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.^{j 38}Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.^{k 39}Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.^l

⁴⁰“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,^m and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.^{n 41}Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴²And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”^o