For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –

although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor,

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night.

And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time.

encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.

For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you,

For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.

He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.

Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you

Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me.

Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.