Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as…”

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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.

World English Bible

“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless 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.

Geneva Bible 1599

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

Darby Translation

Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore prudent as the serpents, and guileless as the doves.

Young's 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.

Bible in Basic English

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

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Cross references

“as sheep”

Luke 10:3 Acts 20:29

Luke 10:3 · BSB

Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Acts 20:29 · BSB

I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

“wise”

1 Corinthians 14:20 Colossians 4:5 Ephesians 5:15–17 Luke 21:15 2 Corinthians 11:3 2 Corinthians 11:14

1 Corinthians 14:20 · BSB

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Colossians 4:5 · BSB

Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

Ephesians 5:15–17 · BSB

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Luke 21:15 · BSB

For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

2 Corinthians 11:3 · BSB

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14 · BSB

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

“harmless”

Philippians 2:15 1 Thessalonians 5:22 2 Corinthians 1:12 2 Corinthians 8:20 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Romans 16:18

Philippians 2:15 · BSB

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

1 Thessalonians 5:22 · BSB

Abstain from every form of evil.

2 Corinthians 1:12 · BSB

For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of…

2 Corinthians 8:20 · BSB

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.

1 Thessalonians 2:10 · BSB

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

Romans 16:18 · BSB

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

17But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

Read Matthew 10