¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.^(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)

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

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

¹² Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with holiness^[a] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.^(A)

⁷ in all things, offering yourself as a model of good works and in your teaching offering integrity, gravity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.^(A)

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,^(A)

¹⁸ When they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,^(A)

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

⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you,^(A)

⁵ As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed,^(A)