Old/New Testament

Christ sends out his twelve apostles to preach among the Jews, gives them charge, teaches them, and strengthens them against persecution and trouble.

10 And Jesus called his 12 disciples to him, and gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sicknesses and all manner of diseases.

² The names of the 12 apostles are these: the first Simon, called also Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus otherwise called Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out and charged, saying, Go not into the roads that lead to the Gentiles, and do not enter into the towns of the Samaritans. ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ Go and preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand! ⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out the devils. Freely you have received; freely give again.

⁹ Do not possess gold or silver or copper coins in your belts, ¹⁰ nor yet a bag for your journey; neither two coats, nor shoes, nor yet a staff. For the workman is worthy to have his keep. ¹¹ In whatever city or town you enter, enquire who is worthy in it, and there remain till you leave. ¹² And when you come into a household, wish it well. ¹³ And if the house is worthy, your peace will come upon it. But if it is not worthy, your peace will return to you again.

¹⁴ And whoever will not receive you, nor will hear your preaching, when you depart out of that house or that town, shake off the dust from your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I say to you, it will be easier for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that place.

¹⁶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep among wolves. Be therefore wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and will scourge you in their synagogues. ¹⁸ And you will be brought to the head governors and kings for my sake, in witness to them and to the Gentiles.

¹⁹ But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you will speak, for it will be given you even in that same hour what you should say. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.