15. People of Capernaum, do you think you will be honoured in heaven? Well, you will go down to hell!
16. My followers, whoever listens to you is listening to me. Anyone who says “No” to you is saying “No” to me. And anyone who says “No” to me is really saying “No” to the one who sent me.
17. When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!”
18. Jesus told them:I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.
19. I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you.
20. But don't be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
21. At that same time, Jesus felt the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, and he said:My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that is what pleased you.
22. My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who really knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.
23. Jesus then turned to his disciples and said to them in private, “You are really blessed to see what you see!
24. Many prophets and kings were eager to see what you see and to hear what you hear. But I tell you that they did not see or hear.”
25. An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?”
26. Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”
27. The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbours as much as you love yourself.’ ”
28. Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”