Eli’s Wicked Sons

¹² Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard^(A) for the Lord.

²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(A) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(B) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(C) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(D) 26} to make her holy,^(E) cleansing^[a] her by the washing^(F) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(G) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^(H)

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit^(A) that we are God’s children.^{(B) 17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs^(C)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings^(D) in order that we may also share in his glory.^(E)

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^(A) of the living God,^(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth.

⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven^(A) is my brother and sister and mother.”

¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you^(A) or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,^(B) and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people^(C) and your God my God.^{(D) 17} Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,^(E) if even death separates you and me.”^(F)