Lambs in a Wolf Pack

10 1-2 Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

“On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.

“Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.

“Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.

5-6 “When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself.

“Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.

8-9 “When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’

10-12 “When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back. Did you have any idea that God’s kingdom was right on your doorstep?’ Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you.

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Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

10 After this the Lord appointed (A)seventy-two[a] others and (B)sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. (C)And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. (D)Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; (E)behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. (F)Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and (G)greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, (H)‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, (I)it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for (J)the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, (K)‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 (L)‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that (M)the kingdom of God has come near.’

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 10:1 Some manuscripts seventy; also verse 17