²⁶ From the Desert of Kedemoth^(A) I sent messengers to Sihon^(B) king of Heshbon offering peace^(C) and saying,

¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you.^(A) Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’^{(B) 12} I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom^(C) than for that town.^(D)

⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.

¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting.^{(A) 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.^{(B) 15} Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah^(C) on the day of judgment^(D) than for that town.^(E)

³⁰ And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces^(A) of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance—

¹⁰ When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.^{(A) 11} If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject^(B) to forced labor^(C) and shall work for you.