1 He called to Himself His twelve apprentices, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to expel them, and to heal every disease and every sickness. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Shimon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; Jacob the son of Zavdai; Johanan, his brother; 3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; Jacob the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus; 4 Shimon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
5 Joshua sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying,“Don’t go among the people of other nations, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. 6 Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven has come near!’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and expel demons. Freely you received, so freely give. 9 Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belt, 10 nor bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor walking stick: because the laborer is worthy of his food. 11 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. 12 As you enter into the household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
16 “Look, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as snakes, and harmless as doves. 17 But watch out for people, because they will hand you over to councils, and in their synagogues they will whip you. 18 Yes, and you will be brought in front of governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them and to the people of nations. 19 But when they hand you over, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaks in you.
21 “Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, run away into the next, because most certainly I tell you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.
24 “An apprentice is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the apprentice that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Baal-Zebul (which means Master of Dung in Hebrew), how much more those of His household! 26 Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to take away life. Rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both life and body in Hinnom Valley.
29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a copper coin? But not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Everyone therefore who confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
34 “Don’t think that I came to bring peace on the earth. I didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to “set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be those of his own household.” 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me isn’t worthy of Me. 38 He who doesn’t grab his execution stake and follow after Me, isn’t worthy of Me. 39 He who discovers his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for My sake will discover it. 40 He who welcomes you welcomes Me, and he who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. 41 He who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who welcomes a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of an apprentice, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward.”