Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

⁴ Fathers,^[a] do not exasperate your children;^(A) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(B)

⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(A) And the God of peace^(B) will be with you.

² Be shepherds of God’s flock^(A) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;^(B) not pursuing dishonest gain,^(C) but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over^(D) those entrusted to you, but being examples^(E) to the flock.