¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^(A)

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴ I am writing this not to shame you^(A) but to warn you as my dear children.^{(B) 15} Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father^(C) through the gospel.^(D)

²² Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.^(A)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(A) and in view of his appearing^(B) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(C) 2} Preach^(D) the word;^(E) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(F) and encourage^(G)—with great patience and careful instruction.

²¹ I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(A) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(A) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^(B)

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another^(A) and build each other up,^(B) just as in fact you are doing.

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) we instructed you how to live^(B) in order to please God,^(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

⁷ Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^(A)