Matthew 10:16-26

Contemporary English Version

Warning about Trouble

(Mark 13.9-13; Luke 21.12-17)

^16 (A) I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. ^17 (B) Watch out for people who will take you to court and have you beaten in their synagogues. ¹⁸ Because of me, you will be dragged before rulers and kings to tell them and the Gentiles about your faith. ¹⁹ But when someone arrests you, don't worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the words to say. ²⁰ But you will not really be the one speaking. The Spirit from your Father will tell you what to say.

^21 (C) Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. ^22 (D) Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved. ²³ When people mistreat you in one town, hurry to another one. I promise you before you have gone to all the towns of Israel, the Son of Man will come.

^24 (E) Students are not better than their teacher, and slaves are not better than their master. ^25 (F) It is enough for students 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

(Luke 12.2-7)

^26 (G) Don't be afraid of anyone! Everything is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known.