Persecution of Disciples

10:16 “I30 am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves,31 so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 10:17 Beware32 of people, because they will hand you over to councils33 and flog34 you in their synagogues.35 10:18 And you will be brought before governors and kings36 because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles. 10:19 Whenever37 they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say,38 for what you should say will be given to you at that time.39 10:20 For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

10:21 “Brother40 will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against41 parents and have them put to death. 10:22 And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 10:23 Whenever42 they persecute you in one place,43 flee to another. I tell you the truth,44 you will not finish going through all the towns45 of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

10:24 “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave46 greater than his master. 10:25 It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household!