⁵ Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan^(A) town. ⁶ Instead, go to the lost sheep^(B) of the house of Israel.^{(C) 7} As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’^{(D) 8} Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy,^[a] drive out demons.^(E) Freely you received, freely give. ⁹ Don’t acquire gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts.^{(F) 10} Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker^(G) is worthy of his food. ¹¹ When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave. ¹² Greet a household when you enter it,^{(H) 13} and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it; but if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.^{(I) 14} If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet^(J) when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment^(K) for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.^(L)

Resurrection Essential to the Gospel

15 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand^{(A) 2} and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.^{(B) 3} For I passed on to you^(C) as most important what I also received: that Christ died^(D) for our sins according to the Scriptures,^{(E) 4} that he was buried,^(F) that he was raised on the third day^(G) according to the Scriptures,^{(H) 5} and that he appeared to Cephas,^(I) then to the Twelve.^{(J) 6} Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time;^(K) most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James,^(L) then to all the apostles.^{(M) 8} Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time,^[a](N) he also appeared to me.^(O)

⁸ This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches^(A) of Christ, ⁹ and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created^(B) all things. ¹⁰ This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom^(C) may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.^{(D) 11} This is according to his eternal purpose^(E) accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him we have boldness and confident access^(F) through faith in him.^{[a] 13} So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged^(G) over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.^(H)

Prayer for Spiritual Power

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(I) before the Father^[b]