5 aThese twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not 1go 2in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the bSamaritans;

6 but rather go to athe lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 “And as you go, 1preach, saying, ‘aThe kingdom of heaven 2is at hand.’

8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

9 “aDo not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts,

10 or a 1bag for your journey, or even two 2coats, or sandals, or a staff; for athe worker is worthy of his 3support.

11 “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay 1at his house until you leave that city.

12 “As you enter the 1house, agive it your 2greeting.

13 “If the house is worthy, 1give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, 2take back your blessing of peace.

14 “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, ashake the dust off your feet.

15 “Truly I say to you, ait will be more tolerable for the land of bSodom and Gomorrah in cthe day of judgment than for that city.

A Hard Road before Them

16 “aBehold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so 1be bshrewd as serpents and cinnocent as doves.

17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the acourts and scourge you bin their synagogues;

18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

19 “aBut when they hand you over, bdo not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.

20 “For ait is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “aBrother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and bchildren will rise up against parents and 1cause them to be put to death.

22 “aYou will be hated by all because of My name, but bit is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

23 “But whenever they apersecute you in 1one city, flee to 2the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel buntil the Son of Man comes.

The Meaning of Discipleship

24 “aA 1disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.

25 “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. aIf they have called the head of the house 1bBeelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!

26 “Therefore do not afear them, bfor there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

27 “aWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim bupon the housetops.

28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather afear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in 1bhell.

29 “aAre not two sparrows sold for a 1cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.