34 Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must say ‘no’ to the things he wants. He must be willing to die on a cross, and he must follow me.
35 Whoever wants to save his life will give up true life. But whoever gives up his life for me and for the Good News will have true life forever.
36 It is worth nothing for a person to have the whole world, if he loses his soul.
37 A person could never pay enough to buy back his soul.
38 The people who live now are living in a sinful and evil time. If anyone is ashamed of me and my teaching, then I will be ashamed of him. I will be ashamed of him when I come with the glory of my Father and the holy angels.”