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Instructions for the Twelve Apostles

(Mark 6.7-13; Luke 9.1-6)

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions:

Stay away from the Gentiles and don't go to any Samaritan town. Go only to the people of Israel, because they are like a flock of lost sheep. (A) As you go, announce that the kingdom of heaven will soon be here.[a] Heal the sick, raise the dead to life, heal people who have leprosy,[b] and force out demons. You received without paying, now give without being paid. Don't take along any gold, silver, or copper coins. 10 (B) And don't carry[c] a traveling bag or an extra shirt or sandals or a walking stick.

Workers deserve their food. 11 So when you go to a town or a village, find someone able and willing to have you as their guest and stay with them until you leave. 12 When you go to a home, give it your blessing of peace. 13 If the home is deserving, let your blessing remain with them. But if the home doesn't accept you, take back your blessing of peace. 14 (C) If someone won't welcome you or listen to your message, leave their home or town. And shake the dust from your feet at them.[d] 15 (D) I promise you the day of judgment will be easier for the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah[e] than for that town.

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Footnotes

  1. 10.7 will soon be here: Or “is already here.”
  2. 10.8 leprosy: See the note at 8.2.
  3. 10.9,10 Don't take along … don't carry: Or “Don't accept … don't accept.”
  4. 10.14 shake the dust from your feet at them: This was a way of showing rejection (see Acts 13.51).
  5. 10.15 Sodom and Gomorrah: During the time of Abraham the Lord destroyed these towns because the people there were so evil.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.(A) Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.(B) As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven(C) has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] 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(D) 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.(E) 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.(F) 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.(G) 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah(H) on the day of judgment(I) than for that town.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 10:8 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.