As Jesus preached to the crowds, He said to His disciples, "Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees - I mean their hypocrisy.
   "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
   "I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.
   "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
   "I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
   "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
   "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
   [He also told His disciples this:] "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
   "But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father Who speaks in you. . . .
   "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub [meaning the devil], how much more will they call those of his household!"

Taken from Luke 12, Matthew 10, Today's English Version, The New International Version
and The New King James. For free Lifescope book, write to Box 1575,
Carlsbad, NM 88221. Please send $1.00 for postage and handling.