Chapter 71: Jesus' violent mission

1 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 2 But I have a battle to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

3 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

4 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 5 And a man's foes shall be they risen of his own household.

6 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 7 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 8 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 9 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 10 When thou fleest from thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in fear, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee amongst the risen. 11 I tell thee, thou shalt not find peace, till thou hast paid the very last mite for sword and shelter.

12 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 13 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and any others without life also, he cannot be my warrior.

14 And whosoever doth not raise his sword, and train with me, cannot be my warrior.

15 He that coddle his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life in fear shall rise. 16 He that defendeth you defendeth me, and he that fight with me fights for him that sent me. 17 He that cut head from broken neck in the name of a warrior shall receive a warrior's reward; and he that burn a risen man in the name of justice shall receive a just reward. 18 And whosoever shall give pure water to drink unto one of these who fights alongside of a warrior, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.