Fear God
26 "Therefore, don't be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, and nothing hidden that won't be made known.
27
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
28
Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29
Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's consent.
30
But even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
31
Don't be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Acknowledging Christ
32 "Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.
33
But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.
34
Don't assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35
For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36
and a man's enemies will be the members of his household.
37
The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38
And whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
39
Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.
A Cup of Cold Water
40 "The one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.
41
Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he's righteous will receive a righteous person's reward.
42
And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple -I assure you: He will never lose his reward!"