Matthew 10:1-20

New International Version

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve^{(A)(B)(C)(D)(E)}

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits^(F) and to heal every disease and sickness.^(G)

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.^(H)

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.^{(I) 6} Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.^{(J) 7} As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven^(K) has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts^(L)— ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.^{(M) 11} Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting.^{(N) 13} If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.^{(O) 15} Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah^(P) on the day of judgment^(Q) than for that town.^(R)

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.^(S) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.^{(T) 17} Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils^(U) and be flogged in the synagogues.^{(V) 18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings^(W) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.^(X) At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father^(Y) speaking through you.