1Now after this the Lord appointed One ancient ms reads seventy-two.seventy others, and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every city and place where He was about to go.

2He was saying to them, “The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

3Go your way; listen carefully: I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

4Do not carry a money belt, a provision bag, or [extra] sandals; and do not A formal greeting was a lengthy ritual that sometimes included a meal.greet anyone along the way [who would delay you].

5Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘I.e. “Shalom” is to come upon this house.Peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God] to this house.’

6And if anyone of peace is there [someone who is sweet-spirited and hospitable], your [blessing of] peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

7Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house.

8Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you;

9and heal those in it who are sick [authenticating your message], and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

10But whatever city you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,

11‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you [breaking all ties]; yet understand this, that the kingdom of God has come near [and you rejected it].’

12I tell you, it will be more bearable in that day [of judgment] for Sodom than for that city.

13 “Woe (judgment is coming) to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented and changed their minds long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes [to show deep regret for sin].

14However, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

16 “The one who listens to you listens to Me; and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and the one who rejects Me rejects Him [My heavenly Father] who sent Me.”

17The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

18He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like [a flash of] lightning.

19Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on Perhaps a reference to demonic powers (spirits).serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.

21In that very hour He was overjoyed and rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and He said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things [relating to salvation] from the An ironic criticism of the Jewish leaders who regarded the followers of Jesus as childlike and untaught.wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants [the childlike and untaught]. Yes, Father, for this way was [Your gracious will and choice, and was] well-pleasing in Your sight.

23Then turning to His disciples, Jesus said privately, “Blessed [joyful, spiritually enlightened, and favored by God] are the eyes which see what you see,

25And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

27And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

28Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.”

29But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, who stripped him of his clothes [and belongings], beat him, and went their way [unconcerned], leaving him half dead.

31Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32Likewise a Levite also came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].

33But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him],

34and went to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them [to sooth and disinfect the injuries]; and he put him on his own pack-animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35On the next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return.’

36Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers?”

37He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.”

38Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

39She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.

40But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.”

41But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things;

42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”