1 In the meantime, ^twhen so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, ^u“Beware of ^vthe leaven of the Pharisees, ^wwhich is hypocrisy. 2 ^xNothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in ^yprivate rooms shall be proclaimed on ^zthe housetops.

4 “I tell you, my friends, ^ado not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him ^bwho, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.¹ Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?² And ^cnot one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, ^deven the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; ^eyou are of more value than many sparrows.