²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death.^{(A) 22} You will be hated by everyone because of My name.^(B) But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.^{[a](C) 23} When they persecute you in one town, escape to another.^(D) For I assure you: You will not have covered the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. ²⁴ A disciple^[b] is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master.^{(E) 25} It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!^(F)

Fear God

²⁶ “Therefore,^(G) don’t be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered and nothing hidden that won’t be made known.^{(H) 27} What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper,^[c] proclaim on the housetops.^{(I) 28} Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul;^(J) rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.^{(K) 29} Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny?^[d] Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s^(L) consent.^{[e] 30} But even the hairs of your head have all been counted.^{(M) 31} So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.^(N)

Acknowledging Christ

³² “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.^{(O) 33} But whoever denies Me before men,^(P) I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. ³⁴ Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.^{(Q) 35} For I came to turn

³⁷ The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;^(S) the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁸ And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow^[g] Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁹ Anyone finding^[h] his life will lose it,^(T) and anyone losing^[i] his life because of Me will find it.^(U)

A Cup of Cold Water

⁴⁰ “The one who welcomes you welcomes Me,^(V) and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.^{(W) 41} Anyone who^[j] welcomes a prophet^(X) because he is a prophet^[k] will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who^[l] welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous^[m] will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And whoever gives^(Y) just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple^[n](Z)—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”