Matthew 10:16

KJV1611 – Modern English

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

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

    Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

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

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    Behold,{G2400} I{G1473} send{G649} you{G5209} forth{G649} as{G5613} sheep{G4263} in{G1722} the midst{G3319} of wolves:{G3074} be ye{G1096} therefore{G3767} wise{G5429} as{G5613} serpents,{G3789} and{G2532} harmless{G185} as{G5613} doves.{G4058}

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    Behold{G2400}{(G5628)}, I{G1473} send{G649} you{G5209} forth{G649}{(G5719)} as{G5613} sheep{G4263} in{G1722} the midst{G3319} of wolves{G3074}: be ye{G1096}{(G5737)} therefore{G3767} wise{G5429} as{G5613} serpents{G3789}, and{G2532} harmless{G185} as{G5613} doves{G4058}.

  • Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

    Beholde I sende you forthe as shepe amoge wolves. Be ye therfore wyse as serpetes and innocent as doves.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    Beholde, I sende you forth as shepe amoge wolues. Be ye therfore wyse as serpentes, and innocent as doues.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    Behold, I send you as sheepe in the middes of the wolues: be yee therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doues.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    Beholde, I sende you foorth, as sheepe in the middest of woolfes. Be ye therfore wyse as serpentes, and harmelesse as doues.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

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

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    `Lo, I do send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as the serpents, and simple as the doves.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

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

  • American Standard Version (1901)

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

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    See, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be then as wise as snakes, and as gentle as doves.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    Persecution of Disciples“I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Referenced Verses

  • Luke 10:3 : 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
  • Acts 20:29 : 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
  • 1 Cor 14:20 : 20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be infants, but in understanding be mature.
  • Phil 2:15 : 15 That you may be blameless and harmless, children of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world;
  • 2 Cor 11:3 : 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve through his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
  • Col 4:5 : 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
  • Gen 3:1 : 1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Yes, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
  • Rom 16:18-19 : 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites; and by smooth talk and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocent. 19 For your obedience is known to all, and I am glad on your behalf. But I would have you wise in what is good, and innocent concerning evil.
  • Eph 5:15-17 : 15 See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
  • 1 Thess 2:10 : 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe:
  • 1 Thess 5:22 : 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
  • 2 Cor 11:14 : 14 And no wonder; for Satan himself transforms into an angel of light.
  • Col 1:9 : 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
  • 2 Cor 1:12 : 12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
  • 2 Cor 8:20 : 20 Avoiding this, that anyone should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us;
  • Gen 3:13 : 13 And the LORD God said to the woman, What is this you have done? And the woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate.
  • Luke 21:15 : 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict nor resist.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Luke 10:3-4
    2 verses
    87%

    3 Go your ways: behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

    4 Carry neither purse, nor bag, nor sandals: and greet no one on the way.

  • Matt 10:17-19
    3 verses
    80%

    17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

    18 And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

    19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you shall speak: for it shall be given to you in that same hour what you shall speak.

  • Matt 7:15-16
    2 verses
    76%

    15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

    16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

  • Matt 10:14-15
    2 verses
    74%

    14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

    15 Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

  • Mark 13:9-11
    3 verses
    73%

    9 But take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you to councils; and in the synagogues you shall be beaten; and you shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

    10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

    11 But when they lead you and deliver you up, do not think beforehand what you shall speak, nor premeditate: but whatever shall be given you in that hour, speak that: for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Spirit.

  • Matt 23:33-34
    2 verses
    72%

    33 Serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape the condemnation of hell?

    34 Therefore, indeed, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city:

  • Matt 10:5-7
    3 verses
    72%

    5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans:

    6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

    7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is near.

  • Matt 7:6
    72%

    6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

  • Matt 10:22-23
    2 verses
    72%

    22 And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he who endures to the end shall be saved.

    23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another: for truly I say to you, You shall not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

  • Acts 20:29
    71%

    29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

  • Luke 10:19
    71%

    19 Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • John 10:11-12
    2 verses
    70%

    11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

    12 But the hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

  • Mark 14:27
    69%

    27 And Jesus said to them, All of you will be offended because of me this night, for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

  • Luke 12:11
    69%

    11 And when they bring you to the synagogues, and to rulers and authorities, do not be anxious how or what you shall answer, or what you shall say.

  • Jer 8:17
    68%

    17 For behold, I will send serpents, vipers, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the LORD.

  • Matt 5:11-12
    2 verses
    68%

    11 Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

    12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  • Matt 10:27-28
    2 verses
    68%

    27 What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.

    28 And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Luke 10:10
    68%

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

  • Luke 21:16
    68%

    16 And you shall be betrayed both by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends; and some of you they shall cause to be put to death.

  • Luke 21:12
    68%

    12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

  • John 16:1-2
    2 verses
    68%

    1 I have spoken these things to you so that you may not be offended.

    2 They will put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.

  • Luke 10:8
    68%

    8 And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

  • Luke 6:22
    68%

    22 Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude you, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.

  • Mark 6:10
    67%

    10 And he said to them, In whatever place you enter a house, there stay till you leave that place.

  • John 15:20
    67%

    20 Remember the word I said to you, 'The servant is not greater than his master.' If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.

  • Matt 26:31
    67%

    31 Then Jesus said to them, All of you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.

  • John 10:16
    67%

    16 And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

  • Matt 15:14
    67%

    14 Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  • John 10:8
    67%

    8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

  • Matt 25:32
    67%

    32 All nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

  • Luke 3:7
    67%

    7 Then he said to the multitude that came forth to be baptized by him, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

  • Luke 9:5
    67%

    5 And whoever will not receive you, when you leave that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.

  • Mark 16:18
    67%

    18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

  • Matt 18:10
    67%

    10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

  • Matt 24:9
    67%

    9 Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.