¹⁶ Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be ^[a]wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and ^[b]without falsity) as doves.^(A)

¹⁷ Be on guard against men [whose ^[c]way or nature is to act in opposition to God]; for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their synagogues,

¹⁸ And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to bear testimony before them and to the Gentiles (the nations).