Bible Verse Lookup

John the Baptist

In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea, proclaiming:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

It was about him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice is shouting in the desert,

‘Prepare a way for the Lord;

make his paths straight!’

John wore a leather belt around his waist and a cloak made of camel’s hair; his food was locusts and wild honey.

The people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire Jordan Valley were going out to him,

and they were baptized by him in the Jordan as they confessed their sins.

When he saw several Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them:

“Brood of vipers! Who told you that you could escape the punishment that is to come?

Make it clear that you are serious about your conversion;

and do not think: ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that God can raise children for Abraham from these stones!

The ax is already at the roots of the trees; any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I baptize you with water for a change of heart, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am; in fact, I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

He has the winnowing fork in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire.”

Baptism of Jesus

At that time, Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

But John tried to prevent him and said:

“How is it you come to me? I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”

But Jesus answered him:

“Let it be like that for now; so that we may fulfill all righteousness.”

Then John agreed.

As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up out of the water. All at once, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him.

At the same time, a voice from heaven was heard:

“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Trial in the Desert

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert so he could be tested by the devil.

After Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, he was famished.

Then the tempter came to him and said:

“If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into bread.”

But Jesus answered:

“Scripture says:

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word

that comes from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took Jesus to the Holy City, set him on the highest wall of the temple,

and said to him:

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for scripture says:

God has given orders

to his angels concerning you.

Their hands will hold you up,

lest you hurt your foot

against a stone.”

Jesus replied:

“But scripture also says:

You shall not put

the LORD your God to the test.”

Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the nations of the world in all their greatness and splendor,

and he said:

“All this I will give you if you kneel down and worship me.”

Then Jesus answered:

“Be off, Satan! It is written:

Worship the LORD your God

and serve him alone!”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and waited on him.

His Proclamation Begins

Then Jesus learned that John had been arrested, he retreated into Galilee.

He left Nazareth and moved to Capernaum by the sea, at the border of Zebulun and Naphtali.

In this way, the word of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

crossed by the Road of the Sea;

and you, who live beyond the Jordan,

Galilee, a land of pagans:

The people who lived in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those who live in the land

of the shadow of death,

a light has shone.”

From that time on, Jesus began to proclaim his message:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

He Calls His First Disciples

As Jesus walked by the lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake because they were fishermen.

He said to them:

“Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”

At once, they left their nets and followed him.

He continued on from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. Jesus called them,

and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Narrative Summary of Jesus’ Activity

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, while healing all kinds of sickness and disease among the people.

The news about him spread throughout all of Syria, and people brought all their sick and those suffering: the possessed, the insane, the paralyzed; and he healed them all.

Large crowds followed him from Galilee and the Ten Cities, from Jerusalem, Judea, and across the Jordan.

Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down, and his disciples gathered around him.

Then he spoke and began to teach them:

Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted.

Fortunate are the gentle; they shall inherit the land.

Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God.

Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God.

Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are you when people insult and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers.

Be glad and rejoice, for a great reward awaits you in God. That is how they persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

Salt and Light. Image of the Disciples: Salt and Light

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away, and people will trample on it.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and then covers it; instead, it is placed on a lampstand where it provides light for everyone in the house.

In the same way, your light must shine before others so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus and the Law

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change until everything is fulfilled.

So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys them and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

I tell you, if your sense of right and wrong isn’t sharper than that of the lawyers and the Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Regarding Offense

You have heard that it was said to our ancestors: Do not murder; anyone who murders will face judgment.

But now I tell you: anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will face judgment. Anyone who insults a brother or sister is in danger of being brought before the council. And anyone who calls a brother or sister “Fool!” is in danger of being thrown into the fiery Gehenna.

So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your gift there in front of the altar; go at once and make peace with your brother, then come back and offer your gift to God.

Don’t forget this: reconcile with your opponent quickly when you’re together on the way to court. Otherwise, he will turn you over to the judge, who will send you to the police, and you’ll be put in jail.

There you will stay until you’ve paid the last penny.

Regarding Divorce

You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.

But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

Regarding Oaths

It was also said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.

But I tell you this: if a man divorces his wife, except for the reason of an unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the Lord must be kept.

But I tell you this: do not take oaths. Do not swear by the heavens, for they are God’s throne;

nor by the earth, because it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king.

Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.

Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Regarding Revenge

You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other.

If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give him your coat as well.

If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him.

Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy.

But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you,

so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Don’t even tax collectors do the same?

And if you are only friendly to your friends, what makes that so exceptional? Don’t even the pagans do that? As for you, be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

On the Practice of Good Works  

Be careful not to showcase your good deeds in front of others. If you do, you won’t receive any recompense from your Father in heaven.

Regarding Alms

When you give to the poor, do not make it public, like those who want to be seen in the synagogues and streets to garner praise from others. I assure you, they have already received their reward.

If you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 

so that your gift remains truly secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Regarding Prayer

When you pray, don’t be like those who seek attention. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have their reward.

When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When you pray, do not use many words like the pagans do, because they think that the more they speak, the more likely they are to be heard. 

Avoid emulating them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask.

The Lord’s Prayer

This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom,

come,your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

Do not bring us to the time of trial,but deliver us from the evil one.

If you forgive others for their wrongdoings, your Father in heaven will also forgive you; 

but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

Regarding Fasting

When you fast, do not look miserable like the hypocrites do. They make a sad face so others can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have already received their reward in full.

When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, 

because you are not fasting to impress people but for your Father who sees what is done in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in private, will reward you.

The True Treasure

Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves can steal.

Store up treasures for yourself with God, where no moth or rust can destroy them, nor thief comes and steals them.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

Light and Darkness

The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be filled with light.

If your eyes are sick, your whole body is full of darkness. Then, if the light in you is darkness, how great that darkness is! 

God and Money

No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate one and love the other, or he will be loyal to the first and look down on the second. You cannot, at the same time, serve God and money.

Trust in God

Therefore, I tell you not to worry about food and drink for yourself, or about clothes for your body. Isn’t life more important than food? And isn’t the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or harvest or store food in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?  

Can any of you add a day to your life by worrying about it? 

Why are you so concerned about your clothes? Just look at how the flowers in the fields grow—they don’t toil or spin. 

But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. 

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which blooms today and is to be burned in an oven tomorrow, how much more will he clothe you? What little faith you have!

Don’t worry and ask: What are we going to eat? What are we going to drink? Or: What shall we wear? 

The pagans are concerned with such things, but your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them. 

Prioritize the kingdom and righteousness of God first, and all these things will be added to you. 

Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will handle itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Judging Others

Do not judge, and you will not be judged.

In the same way, you judge others, you will be judged; and the measure you use for others will be used for you.

Why do you notice the speck in your brother’s eye but ignore the plank in your own?

How can you tell your brother, ‘Come, let me take the speck from your eye,’ when you have a plank in your own?

Hypocrite, first remove the plank from your own eye, then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Holy Things

Do not give what is sacred to dogs, or toss your pearls before pigs. They might trample them and then attack you, tearing you apart.

Perseverance in Prayer

Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Would any of you give a stone to your son when he asks for bread?

Or give him a snake when he asks for a fish?

No matter how flawed you are, you know how to give good things to your children. So, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

So, do to others whatever you would want them to do to you: there you have the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many go that way.

How narrow is the gate that leads to life, and how rough the road; few there are who find it.

The Tree Is Known By Its Fruit

Beware of false prophets: they appear as harmless sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

You will recognize them by their fruits. Do you ever pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

A healthy tree always bears good fruit, while a rotten tree yields bad fruit.

A healthy tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot bear good fruit.

Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

It Is Not Enough to Say: “Lord, Lord!”

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in your name?’

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I have never known you; away from me, you evil people!’

Rock and Sand

Therefore, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house. But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock.

But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them is like a fool who built his house on sand.

The rain poured, rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible collapse that was!”

When Jesus finished this teaching, the crowds were amazed

because he taught with authority, unlike their teachers of the law.

Heals a Leper

When Jesus descended from the mountain, a large crowd followed him.

Then a leper stepped forward. He knelt before him and said:

“Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said:

“I will do it. Be made clean.”

At that very moment, the man was healed of his leprosy.

Then Jesus said to him:

“See that you do not tell anyone, but go to the priest, have yourself declared clean, and offer the gift that Moses commanded as evidence for them.”

Heals a Centurion’s Servant

When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, an army captain came to him seeking his help:

Sir, my servant is sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffering terribly.

Jesus told him: “I will come and heal him.”

The captain answered:

“I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order, and my boy will be healed.

For I, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one, ‘Go!’ he goes; and if I say to another, ‘Come!’ he comes; and if I say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him:

“I tell you; I have not found such faith in Israel.

I tell you; many will come from the east and the west and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven;

but the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown out into utter darkness, where they will wail and grind their teeth.”

Then Jesus said to the captain:

“Go home now. As you believed, so let it be.”

And at that moment, his servant was healed.

Heals and Exorcises Around the House

Jesus went to Peter’s house and found his mother-in-law in bed with a fever.

He touched her hand, and the fever left her; she got up and waited on him.

Later in the evening, they brought many people possessed by evil spirits to Jesus, and with a word, he cast out the spirits. He also healed all who were sick.

In this way, what the prophet Isaiah said was fulfilled:

He bore our infirmities

and took on himself our diseases.

Requirements of Discipleship

When Jesus saw the crowd gathering around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

A teacher of the law came up to him and said:

“Master, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus said to him:

“Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Another disciple said to him:

“LORD, let me go and bury my father first.”

But Jesus said to him:

“Follow me and let the dead bury their dead.

Calming a Storm

Jesus stepped into the boat, and his disciples followed him.

Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, causing waves to crash over the boat. But Jesus was asleep.

The disciples woke him up and cried:

“LORD save us! We are lost!”

But Jesus answered:

“Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?”

Then he stood up, rebuked the wind and sea, and it became completely calm.

The disciples were amazed. They asked:

“What kind of man is he? Even the winds and the sea obey him.”

Exorcism in Gadara

When Jesus arrived at Gadara on the other side, he was met by two men possessed by demons, who came out of the tombs. They were so aggressive that no one dared to pass that way.

They shouted:

“Son of God, leave us alone! Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

Nearby, a large herd of pigs was feeding.

So the demons begged him:

“If you drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

Jesus commanded them:

“Go then!”

The demons left the men and entered the pigs. The entire herd then rushed off the cliff into the lake and drowned.

The men responsible for the pigs ran to town, where they told the whole story and also what had happened to the men possessed by the demons.

The entire town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their area.

He Heals a Paralytic

Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and arrived in his hometown.

Here, they brought a paralyzed man lying on a bed to him. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic:

“Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven.”

Some teachers of the law thought to themselves:

“This man insults God.”

Jesus was aware of what they were thinking and said:

“Why do you have such evil thoughts?

Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?

But that you may know that the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins,” he said to the paralyzed man:

“Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home!”

The man got up and went home.

When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God for granting humans such power.

He Calls Matthew and Shares the Table With Sinners

As Jesus continued on his way, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his booth in the customs house, and he said to him:

“Follow me!”

And Matthew got up and followed him.

Now, it happened while Jesus was at the table at Matthew’s house that many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples.

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples:

“Why is it, that your master eats with sinners and tax collectors?”

When Jesus heard this, he said:

“Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do.

Go and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

On Fasting

Then John’s disciples approached him with the question:

“How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but not your disciples?”

Jesus answered them:

“How can you expect wedding guests to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

No one patches an old coat with a piece of unshrunk cloth because the patch will shrink and create an even bigger hole in the coat.

Similarly, you don’t put new wine into old wineskins. If you do, the wineskins will burst and the wine will be spilled. Instead, you put new wine into fresh skins; then both are preserved.”

A Woman Healed and a Child Raised to Life

While Jesus was speaking to them, a synagogue official approached him, bowed before him, and said:

“My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hands on her, and she will live.”

Jesus stood up and followed him with his disciples.

Then a woman who had been suffering from severe bleeding for twelve years came up from behind and touched the edge of his cloak;

for she thought:

“If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned, saw her, and said:

“Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.”

From that moment, the woman was healed.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the excited crowd, he said:

“Go away! The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping!”

And they laughed at him.

But once the crowd had been gone out, Jesus went in, took the girl by the hand, and she stood up.

The news of this spread across the entire area.

He Heals Two Blind Men and Exorcises a Mute

As Jesus continued on his way, two blind men followed him, shouting:

“Son of David, help us!”

When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him, and Jesus said to them:

“Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?”

They answered:

“Yes, sir!”

Then Jesus touched their eyes and said:

“As you have believed, so let it be.”

And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus gave them a stern warning:

“Be careful that no one knows about this.”

But as soon as they left, they spread the news about him throughout the entire area.

As they were leaving, some people brought to Jesus a man who was mute because he was possessed by a demon.

When the demon was cast out, the mute man started to speak. The crowd was amazed and said:

“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

But the Pharisees said:

“He drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.”

Narrative Summary of Jesus’ Activity

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and announcing the good news of the kingdom; he also healed every sickness and disease.

Jesus’ Compassion

When he saw the crowds, he was filled with compassion, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples:

“The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only a few.

Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

The Twelve

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the Twelve apostles: first, Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.

Mission of the Twelve

Jesus sent these Twelve on a mission with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town.

Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Do not carry any gold, silver, or money in your purses.

Do not bring a travel bag, an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick: workers deserve compensation.

When you arrive in a town or village, seek out a worthy person, and remain there until you leave.

When you enter the house, wish it peace.

If the people are worthy, your peace will rest on them; if they are not, your blessing will come back to you.

And if you are not welcomed, and your words are not listened to, leave that house or that town, and shake the dust off your feet.

I assure you, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah will have an easier time on the day of judgment than the people of that town.

Warning of Persecution

See, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. You must be as clever as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Be cautious around people, for they will turn you over to their courts and flog you in their synagogues.

You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake as a witness to them and to the pagans.

But when you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it; when the time comes, you will be given what to say.

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will give his brother over to death, and a father to his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death.

Everyone will hate you because of me, but anyone who stays firm until the end will be saved.

When they persecute you in one town, escape to the next. I assure you, you won’t have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

A student is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.

A student should be content to become like his teacher and the slave like his master. If the head of the household has been called Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!

Exhortation to Courage

So, do not be afraid of them. Nothing hidden will remain secret. Everything concealed will eventually be revealed.

What I tell you in secret, you must speak openly; what you hear in private, proclaim from the rooftops.

Do not fear those who can only kill the body, but cannot harm the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna.

For just a few cents, you can buy two sparrows. Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing.

As for you, every hair on your head has been counted.

Don’t be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows!

Choice for Jesus

Whoever acknowledges me in front of others, I will acknowledge them before my Father in heaven.

Whoever rejects me in front of others, I will reject them before my Father in heaven.

Radical Discipleship

Don’t think I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Each one will have enemies from their own family.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Rewards

Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me.

Whoever welcomes a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not lose his reward.