¹⁵ ‘Be on your guard against false prophets^(A) who come to you in sheep’s^(B) clothing^(C) but inwardly are ravaging wolves.^(D)

Persecutions Predicted

¹⁶ ‘Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.^(A)

¹² The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them^[a] and runs away when he sees a wolf^(A) coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.

²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.