1. Jesus called his twelve followers together. He gave them power over evil spirits and power to heal every kind of disease and sickness.
2. These are the names of the twelve apostles: Simon (also called Peter), Andrew, the brother of Peter, James, the son of Zebedee, John, the brother of James,
3. Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, the tax collector, James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus,
4. Simon, the Zealot, Judas Iscariot (the one who handed Jesus over to his enemies).
5. Jesus sent the twelve men out with these instructions: “Don’t go to the non-Jewish people. And don’t go into any town where the Samaritans live.
6. But go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that are lost.
7. When you go, tell them this: ‘God’s kingdom is now very near.’
8. Heal the sick. Bring the dead back to life. Heal the people who have leprosy. And force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help others freely.