Sending Out the Twelve Apostles

10:1 Jesus1 called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits2 so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness.3 10:2 Now these are the names of the twelve apostles:4 first, Simon5 (called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee and John his brother; 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew;6 Thomas7 and Matthew the tax collector;8 James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;9 10:4 Simon the Zealot10 and Judas Iscariot,11 who betrayed him.12

10:5 Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them as follows:13 “Do not go to Gentile regions14 and do not enter any Samaritan town.15 10:6 Go16 instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 10:7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near!’ 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead,17 cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 10:9 Do not take gold, silver, or copper in your belts, 10:10 no bag18 for the journey, or an extra tunic,19 or sandals or staff,20 for the worker deserves his provisions. 10:11 Whenever21 you enter a town or village,22 find out who is worthy there23 and stay with them24 until you leave. 10:12 As you enter the house, give it greetings.25 10:13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.26 10:14 And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off27 your feet as you leave that house or that town. 10:15 I tell you the truth,28 it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah29 on the day of judgment than for that town!