Commissioning the Twelve
1 Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.
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These are the names of the 12 apostles: First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
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Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
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Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
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Jesus sent out these 12 after giving them instructions: "Don't take the road leading to other nations, and don't enter any Samaritan town.
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Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
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As you go, announce this: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'
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Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge.
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Don't take along gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts.
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Don't take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick, for the worker is worthy of his food.
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"When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave.
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Greet a household when you enter it,
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and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it. But if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.
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If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.
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I assure you: It will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Persecutions Predicted
16 "Look, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.
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Because people will hand you over to sanhedrins and flog you in their synagogues, beware of them.
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You will even be brought before governors and kings because of Me, to bear witness to them and to the nations.
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But when they hand you over, don't worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour,
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because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
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"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death.
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You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
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When they persecute you in one town, escape to another. For I assure you: You will not have covered the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
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A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master.
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It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house 'Beelzebul,' how much more the members of his household!