The disciples sent out1Jesus drew His twelve disciples around Him and gave them the authority to drive out the evil spirits that afflicted people and to heal all their diseases and sicknesses.2-4The names of the twelve apostles are: first, Simon (known as Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Him.5Jesus sent these twelve out with clear instructions: "You are not to go among the non-Jews or into Samaritan towns.6-7Instead you are to go to the lost sheep of Israel, with this message: 'The Kingdom of heaven is fast approaching and is within your reach.'8Heal those who are sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demonic powers. You have received the authority to do these things freely, so give to others freely.9Do not take any money with you, no gold, silver or even copper.10You will not need to take any luggage or extra clothing, no sandals nor a staff for your protection. Because the worker is worthy of his keep, everything you need will be provided for you.11"Whenever you enter a town or village, look for some responsible person and stay in his house until you leave that place.12When you enter his home, speak a blessing over it.13If deserving people live there, the blessing of peace will rest upon that place. But if you are not welcomed, that blessing of peace will come upon you instead.14If no one welcomes you or listens to what you say, shake the dust of that place off your feet when you leave.15I tell you the truth, on the Day of Judgment Sodom and Gomorrah will fare better than that town.16Yes, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So you will need to be as wise as snakes but as innocent as doves.17"Be wary of men, for they will hand you over to the local councils and you will even be flogged in their synagogues.18You will be brought before governors and kings because of your allegiance to Me. So you are witnesses to them and to the nations.19You will not have to be concerned about what to say or how to respond when you are arrested. At such times the Holy Spirit will give you the right words to say.20So it will not really be you speaking, but the Spirit of your heavenly Father speaking through you.21"One brother will betray another, even if it means he will die as a result. The same will happen with a father and his child. Children will rebel against their believing parents and be responsible for them being put to death.22It will seem that all men hate you because of your faith in Me. But he who remains faithful to the end will be saved.23"When they persecute you in one place, go somewhere else. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before all the cities in Israel are reached with the gospel.Further teaching24"A student is not more important than his teacher, nor is a servant of greater significance than his master. It is sufficient for the student to aim to be like his teacher and for the servant to imitate his master.25"If they call the head of the house the devil, it is likely that they will accuse the members of his household of also belonging to the devil!26But do not be afraid of those who oppose you. There is nothing hidden that will not be openly revealed and made known publicly.27So what I tell you secretly, you can then speak openly. Whatever I whisper in your ear, you can shout in the open air.28Do not fear those who can kill the body but have no power over your soul. It is better to live in fear and awe of God who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell!29"Two sparrows are sold for an insignificant amount. And yet your heavenly Father knows whenever one of them falls to the ground dead.30He even knows the number of hairs on your head, so great is His concern for you.31So there is nothing to fear; to Him you are worth far more than many sparrows.32"Anyone who honours Me before men I will honour before My Father in heaven.33But he who disowns Me before others, I shall disown before My Father in heaven.34"You should not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. On the contrary, I have come with a sword, the Word of truth, and not to create a false peace by hiding the truth.35The result of My coming will turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.36Sadly, a man's enemies will be the members of his own family!37"So anyone whose love for his father or mother is greater than his love for Me is not worthy of belonging to Me. Neither is anyone who has more love for his son or daughter than he has for Me.38Anyone who is not prepared to face whatever sacrifices are necessary to follow Me is not worthy of belonging to Me.39Whoever tries to hold onto his life for himself will lose it; but whoever is ready to lose his life for My sake will find the real life that only I can give.40"Anyone who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.41If a person receives a prophet graciously because he is a prophet, that person will receive the same reward as a prophet. In like manner, anyone who treats a righteous person with honour because he is righteous, will receive the same reward as a righteous person.42A person will even be rewarded for giving a drink of water to one of My little ones simply because he is My disciple!"
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)