³ Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.^(A)

⁹ This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate.^(A)

¹⁷ Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.^(A)

⁴ You have not strengthened the weak; you have not healed the sick; you have not bound up the injured; you have not brought back the strays; you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them.^(A)

⁷ in all things, offering yourself as a model of good works and in your teaching offering integrity, gravity,

¹² Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.^(A)

²⁴ I do not mean to imply that we lord it over your faith; rather, we are workers with you for your joy because you stand firm in faith.^(A)

²⁵ But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.^{(A) 26} It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,^(B)

Diotrephes and Demetrius

⁹ I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not welcome us. ¹⁰ So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.^(A)

⁵ because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.^{(A) 6} And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit,^(B)