Sending Out the Seventy-Two

10 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others, and he sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself was about to go. He told them,(A) “The harvest(B) is abundant, but the workers(C) are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.(D) Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves.(E) Don’t carry a money-bag,(F) traveling bag,(G) or sandals; (H) don’t greet anyone along the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace(I) to this household.’ If a person of peace is there, your peace(J) will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages.(K) Don’t move from house to house. When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you.(L) Heal the sick(M) who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God(N) has come near(O) you.’ 10 When you enter any town, and they don’t welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We are wiping off even the dust of your town that clings to our feet as a witness against you.(P) Know this for certain: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, on that day(Q) it will be more tolerable for Sodom(R) than for that town.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:1 Other mss read seventy

Seventy-two sent out

10 After these things, the Lord commissioned seventy-two others and sent them on ahead in pairs to every city and place he was about to go. He said to them, “The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest. Go! Be warned, though, that I’m sending you out as lambs among wolves. Carry no wallet, no bag, and no sandals. Don’t even greet anyone along the way. Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house.’ If anyone there shares God’s peace, then your peace will rest on that person. If not, your blessing will return to you. Remain in this house, eating and drinking whatever they set before you, for workers deserve their pay. Don’t move from house to house. Whenever you enter a city and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you. Heal the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘God’s kingdom has come upon you.’ 10 Whenever you enter a city and the people don’t welcome you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘As a complaint against you, we brush off the dust of your city that has collected on our feet. But know this: God’s kingdom has come to you.’ 12 I assure you that Sodom will be better off on Judgment Day than that city.

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