Matthew 10:1-15

New International Reader's Version

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples

10 Jesus called for his 12 disciples to come to him. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every illness and sickness.

²Here are the names of the 12 apostles.

First there were Simon Peter and his brother Andrew.

Then came James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

³Next were Philip and Bartholomew,

and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector.

Two more were James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus.

⁴The last were Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas was the one who was later going to hand Jesus over to his enemies.

⁵Jesus sent these 12 out with the following orders. “Do not go among the Gentiles,” he said. “Do not enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶Instead, go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that have become lost. ⁷As you go, preach this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases ‘clean’ again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely.

⁹“Do not get any gold, silver or copper to take with you in your belts. ¹⁰Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs. ¹¹When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at their house until you leave. ¹²As you enter the home, greet those who live there. ¹³If that home welcomes you, give it your blessing of peace. If it does not, don’t bless it. ¹⁴Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don’t, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵What I’m about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.