Workers for the Harvest

35  Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. 36  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38  Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

10  Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness. 2  Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee and John his brother; 3  Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4  Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

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