The Mission of the Twelve

9 Then Jesus^[a] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,^{(A) 2} and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.^{(B) 3} He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey: no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.^{(C) 4} Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. ⁵ Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”^{(D) 6} So they departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Herod’s Perplexity

⁷ Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,^{(E) 8} by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen.^{(F) 9} Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.^(G)

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹⁰ On their return the apostles told Jesus^[b] all they had done. Then, taking them along, he slipped quietly into a city called Bethsaida.^(H)

The Mission of the Seventy-Two

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two^[a] others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.^{(A) 2} He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.^{(B) 3} Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.^(C)

⁸ Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹ cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’^{[a](A) 10} But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 My brothers and sisters, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill^[a] the law of Christ.^(A)

⁷ Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.^{(A) 8} If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh, but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.^{(B) 9} So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.^{(C) 10} So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.^(D)