⁹ He must hold firmly^(A) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine^(B) and refute those who oppose it.

¹⁹ “Come, follow me,”^(A) Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me,^(A) and let the dead bury their own dead.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.^(A)

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners^(A)

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,”^(B) Jesus said to him,

⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.”^(A)

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”^(B)

²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it^(A) for eternal life.^{(B) 26} Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.^(C) My Father will honor the one who serves me.

¹⁶ For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.^(A) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;^(B) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.^{(C) 18} What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,^(D) and so not make full use of my rights^(E) as a preacher of the gospel.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(A) and hold fast to the teachings^[a] we passed on to you,^(B) whether by word of mouth or by letter.

³ If anyone teaches otherwise^(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction^(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited^(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words^(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth^(E) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.