Matthew 10:16 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent 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.

Matthew 10:16 Cross References

Luke 10:3

Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.

Philippians 2:15

so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world,

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.

Colossians 4:5

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

Luke 21:15

for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

Acts 20:29

I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

abstain from every form of evil.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

1 Thessalonians 2:10

You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.

Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

2 Corinthians 1:12

Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.

2 Corinthians 8:20

We are making this arrangement lest anyone blame us about this generous gift that we are administering,

Genesis 3:13

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”

Jeremiah 40:16

But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Do not do such a thing, for you are telling a lie about Ishmael.”

Hosea 7:11

Ephraim has become like a dove, silly and without sense; they call upon Egypt, they go to Assyria.

Matthew 24:25

Take note, I have told you beforehand.

Matthew 24:45

“Who, then, is the faithful and wise slave whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time?

Matthew 25:2

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

Matthew 25:4

but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

Matthew 25:9

But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

Nehemiah 4:13

So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.