After some time passes, the seventy disciples return to where Jesus was.
## The seventy returned ##
Some languages will need to say that the seventy actually went out first as the UDB does. This is implicit information that can be made explicit. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]].)
Jesus used a simile to describe how God was defeating Satan when his 70 disciples were preaching in the towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
## authority to tread on serpents and scorpions ##
"authority to step on snakes and crush scorpions." Possible meanings are 1) this refers to actual snakes and scorpions or 2) snakes and scorpions are a metaphor for evil spirits. The UDB translates this as referring to evil spirits: "I have given you the right to attack evil spirits." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
## tread on serpents and scorpions ##
This implies that they would do this and not be injured. You can make this explicit: "walk on snakes and scorpions and not be hurt."