- Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
- When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
- Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
- Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
- 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;
- Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
- Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
- These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
- Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
- As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'
- Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
- "Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—
- no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
- Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.
- As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
- If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
- If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
- Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
- "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.
- On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
- But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
- for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
- You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
- When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.