| 1Meanwhile, when the crowd had gathered together by the thousands, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 3Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in anyone's ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. 5But I will tell you whom you should fear: Fear him who has authority to throw you into hell after your body has been killed. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. 7Indeed, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid0x3B you are of more value than many sparrows. 8“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God, 9but whoever denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you should speak in your own defense, or what you should say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you should say.” |
