Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Become ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.
New American Standard Bible
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.
Holman Bible
International Standard Version
"Pay attention, now! I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as serpents and as innocent as doves.
American Standard Version
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Amplified
An Understandable Version
Here is how it will be: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore you should be as crafty [Note: The Greek word here is "sensible"] as snakes, yet as harmless [Note: The Greek word is "sincere"] as doves.
Anderson New Testament
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be, therefore, wise as serpents, and guileless as doves.
Bible in Basic English
See, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be then as wise as snakes, and as gentle as doves.
Common New Testament
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Daniel Mace New Testament
By your mission you will be expos'd like sheep in the midst of wolves: be then as circumspect as serpents, and as inoffensive as doves:
Darby Translation
Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore prudent as the serpents, and guileless as the doves.
Godbey New Testament
Behold, I send you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Goodspeed New Testament
"Here I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So you must be wise like serpents, and guileless like doves.
John Wesley New Testament
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Julia Smith Translation
Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore discerning as serpents, and pure as doves.
King James 2000
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Lexham Expanded Bible
"Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Modern King James verseion
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep among wolves: Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.
Moffatt New Testament
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise like serpents and guileless like doves.
Montgomery New Testament
"Behold, it is I who am sending you forth like sheep among wolves. Be then as serpents and as guileless as doves.
NET Bible
"I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
New Heart English Bible
"Look, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Noyes New Testament
Lo! I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves. Be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Sawyer New Testament
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
The Emphasized Bible
Lo! I, send you forth as sheep amidst wolves; become ye therefore - prudent, as serpents, and simple, as doves.
Thomas Haweis New Testament
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore prudent as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Remember, I am sending you out as my Messengers like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as serpents, and as blameless as doves.
Webster
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Weymouth New Testament
"Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves.
Williams New Testament
"Listen! I am sending you out as sheep surrounded by wolves. So you must be sensible like serpents and guileless like doves.
World English Bible
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Worrell New Testament
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; become ye, therefore, as wise as the serpents and as innocent as doves.
Worsley New Testament
Behold I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves: be ye therefore prudent as serpents, and innocent as doves.
Youngs Literal Translation
'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.
Themes
Afflictions » Christians being afflicted
Aim in life » Mission, life's » The disciples sent forth to their work
Alertness » What to be aware of
Animals » Lions » Wolves, a type of the wicked
Apostles » Persecutions and sufferings of
Birds » Names of » Doves, a type of purity
Christian ministers » Charge delivered to
Christian ministers » Responsibility of
Christian conduct » Harmlessness
Disciples/apostles » What disciples should be aware of
Doves » Characterized by » Simplicity
turtle Dove » Harmlessness of, typical of Christ's gentleness
Doves » Doves, a type of purity
Symbols of the Holy Spirit » Dove » Gentle
Evangelism » Jesus Christ sending forth disciples to preach
Good and evil adjacent » In the field of Christian work
Mission » Life's » The disciples sent forth to their work
Missionary-work by ministers » Requires wisdom and meekness
Persecution » Who shall face persecution
Prudence » Saints should especially exercise, in their intercourse with unbelievers
Serpents » Characterized as subtle
Sheep » Figurative » Of the defenselessness of servants of God (greek: diakonoi)
God's Sheep » God's people are his sheep
Wolf » Figurative » Of the enemies of the righteous
Wolves » Illustrative » Of the wicked
Topics
Interlinear
Hos
ὡς
Hos
ὡς
Hos
as, when, how, as it were, about,
as, when, how, as it were, about,
Usage: 417
Usage: 417
References
Word Count of 37 Translations in Matthew 10:16
Verse Info
Context Readings
Persecution Of Disciples Predicted
15 Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Become ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues,
Names
Cross References
Luke 10:3
Go ye. Behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Yea, has God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?
Acts 20:29
For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear lest somehow, as the serpent enticed Eve by his craftiness, so your thoughts might be corrupted from the simplicity in the Christ.
Philippians 2:15
so that ye may become blameless and pure children of God, blameless in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, become not children in your thoughts. Instead be childlike in wickedness, but in your thoughts become mature.
Genesis 3:13
And LORD God said to the woman, What is this thou have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.
Luke 21:15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all those who oppose you will not be able to contradict or to resist.
Romans 16:18-19
For such kind serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly. And by their smooth words and elegant speech they deceive the hearts of the naive.
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our pride is this (the testimony from our conscience), that we behave in the world in the simplicity and purity of God, not by fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, and especially toward you.
2 Corinthians 8:20
Arranging this lest any man may criticize us in this bounty administered by us,
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel, for even Satan disguises himself into an agent of light.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Therefore watch carefully how ye walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Colossians 1:9
Because of this we also, from the day that we heard, cease not praying for you and making request that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward those outside, redeeming the time,
1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God, how piously and justly and blamelessly we became to you who believe,
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.