Hi, friends. I am Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. In this month, the Let's Read

the Gospels podcast is sponsored by our friends at crew. You can learn more at give dot crew dot

org slash Annie. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible,

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the stories of Jesus Christ's life on earth,

the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles. Each month, we read

all four books. So go ahead and subscribe today and join us as we read the Gospels together

and invite your friends to join in. Here's how it works. I'm going to read three chapters

to you today. You can listen or read along in your own Bible. And then I'll pray. And

that's it. Today is May 4, day four. And I'll be reading Matthew, chapters 10 through 12.

And this month, I'm reading from the CSB version. Matthew 10, summoning his 12 disciples,

he gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease

and sickness. These are the names of the 12 apostles. First, Simon, who is called Peter,

and Andrew, his brother, James, the son of Zebedee and John, his brother, Philip and

Bartholmue, Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector, James, the son of Alphius, and Thaddeus, Simon,

the zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Jesus sent out these 12 after giving

them instructions. Don't take the road that leads to the Gentiles and don't enter any Samaritan

town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go proclaim the kingdom

of heaven has come near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out

demons, freely you receive freely give. Don't acquire gold, silver or copper for your money belts.

Don't take a traveling bag for the road or an extra shirt, sandals or a staff. For the worker

is worthy of his food. When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy and stay there

until you leave. Greet a household when you enter it. And if the household is worthy,

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