Matthew 10:9-20

Amplified Bible

⁹ Do not take gold, or silver, or [even] copper money in your money belt, ¹⁰ or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support. ¹¹ Whatever city or village you enter, ask who in it is worthy [who welcomes you and your message], and stay at his house until you leave [that city]. ¹² As you go into the house, give it your greeting [that is, ‘Peace be to this house’]. ¹³ If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] ^[a]peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. ¹⁴ Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, ^[b]shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties].^{(A) 15} I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of ^[c]Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].

A Hard Road before Them

¹⁶ “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda].^{(B) 17} Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; ¹⁸ and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour;^{(C) 20} for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.