¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.^(A) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.^{(B) 17} Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils^(C) and be flogged in the synagogues.^{(D) 18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings^(E) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.^(F) At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father^(G) speaking through you.

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents^(H) and have them put to death.^{(I) 22} You will be hated by everyone because of me,^(J) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.^(K)

²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One^(A) who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^{[a] 30} And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.^{(B) 31} So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.^(C)