Matthew 10:16 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁶ “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.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁶ Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves. [Gen. 3:1.]

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Common English Bible

¹⁶ “Look, I’m sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as snakes and innocent as doves.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁶ Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be as prudent as serpents and as simple as doves.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁶ Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.

Matthew 10:16 Cross References

Matthew 24:25

You see, I have told you [all this] ahead of time.

Matthew 24:45

“Who then, is the trustworthy and sensible slave, to whom his master has assigned the management of his household to provide timely meals for its members?

Matthew 25:2

Five of the bridesmaids were foolish and five were sensible.

Matthew 25:4

but the sensible ones took [extra] oil in containers, along with their lamps.

Matthew 25:9

But the sensible ones answered, ‘There might not be enough for us and you, [so] instead, you should go to the store and buy some for yourselves.’

Luke 10:3

[So], go on; See, I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Luke 21:15

for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

Acts 20:29

[Because] I know that after I am gone [from here] there will be vicious wolves [i.e., ravaging false teachers] who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock [i.e., the congregation].

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking.

2 Corinthians 1:12

For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And it is no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light [i.e., someone pure and righteous].

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that somehow, just as the snake tricked Eve by his cunning, your minds might[also] be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:20

[We made this arrangement] to avoid anyone blaming us for the way we handled this generous gift.

Philippians 2:15

so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

Colossians 1:9

So, this is why, since the day we heard about these things, we do not stop praying for you and requesting that you people be filled [by God] with the knowledge of what He wants [for your lives], and with spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 4:5

Be wise in the way you live in front of outsiders [i.e., non-Christians], making the most of every opportunity.

1 Thessalonians 2:10

You can testify, [just] as God can, how holy, righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Avoid [the practice of] every kind of evil.