Luke 12:4-12

Christian Standard Bible

Fear God

⁴ “I say to you, my friends,^(A) don’t fear^(B) those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. ⁵ But I will show you the one to fear: Fear^(C) him who has authority to throw people into hell^(D) after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! ⁶ Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies?^[a] Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.^{(E) 7} Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Acknowledging Christ

⁸ “And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges^(F) me before others, the Son of Man^(G) will also acknowledge him before the angels of God,^{(H) 9} but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.^{(I) 10} Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,^(J) but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit^(K) will not be forgiven. ¹¹ Whenever^(L) they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities,^(M) don’t worry^(N) about how you should defend^(O) yourselves or what you should say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”^(P)