²⁴ Disciples are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. ²⁵ It is enough for disciples to be like their teacher and for slaves to be like their master. If people call the head of the family Satan, what will they say about the rest of the family?

The One To Fear

²⁶ Don’t be afraid of anyone! Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. ²⁷ Whatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you. ²⁸ Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell. ²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. ³⁰ Even the hairs on your head are counted. ³¹ So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Telling Others about Christ

³² If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. ³³ But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don’t belong to me.

Not Peace, but Trouble

³⁴ Don’t think that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came to bring trouble, not peace. ³⁵ I came to turn sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, and daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law. ³⁶ Your worst enemies will be in your own family.

³⁷ If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. ³⁸ And unless you are willing to take up your cross and come with me, you are not fit to be my disciples. ³⁹ If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it.

Contemporary English Version (CEV) - for other versions see BibleGateway.com