Matthew 10:16

Lo! I send you as sheep in the middle [or into the midst] of wolves; therefore be ye sly, [or prudent, or wary, or wise], as serpents, and (as) simple as doves.

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

In Context

15Truly I say to you, it shall be more sufferable to the land of (the) men of Sodom and of Gomorrha in the day of judgement, than to that city. (I tell you the truth, it shall be more bearable for the land of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgement, than for that city.)

17But be ye ware of men, for they shall take you in (to) councils, and they shall beat you in their synagogues;

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Cross References

Genesis 3:13And the Lord said to the woman, Why didest thou this thing? The which answered, The serpent deceived me, and (so) I ate.

Jeremiah 40:16And Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, said to Johanan, the son of Kareah, Do not thou do this word, for thou speakest false of Ishmael. (But Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, said to Johanan, the son of Kareah, Do not thou do this thing, for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.)

Luke 21:15for I shall give to you mouth and wisdom, to which all your adversaries shall not be able to against-stand, and gainsay. (for I shall give you the words and the wisdom, to which all your adversaries shall not be able to stand against, or to say anything against.)

Romans 16:18For such men serve not to the Lord Christ, but to their womb, (or For such men do not serve the Lord Messiah, but their own bellies), and by sweet words and blessings deceive the hearts of innocent men.

2 Corinthians 1:12For our glory is this, the witnessing of our conscience (or the testimony of our conscience), that in (the) simpleness and cleanness of God (or with godly sincerity), and not in fleshly wisdom, but in the grace of God, we lived in this world, but more plenteously to you.

2 Corinthians 11:3But I dread, lest as the serpent deceived Eve with his subtle fraud, so your wits be corrupted, and fallen down from the simpleness that is in Christ. (But I fear, that just as the serpent deceived Eve with his subtle fraud, so your minds now be corrupted, and have fallen away from your sincere devotion to the Messiah.)

Matthew Henry on Matthew 10:6-16

Instructions to the Apostles. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two… Read the whole commentary →

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