1
Jesus called his twelve followers together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and sickness.
2
These are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon (also called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4
Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who turned against Jesus.
5
Jesus sent out these twelve men with the following order: "Don't go to the non-Jewish people or to any town where the Samaritans live.
6
But go to the people of Israel, who are like lost sheep.
7
When you go, preach this: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
8
Heal the sick, raise the dead to life again, heal those who have skin diseases, and force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help other people freely.
9
Don't carry any money with you -- gold or silver or copper.