^5 (A)For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ^(B)ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

²⁴ Not ^(A)that we ^[a]have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for ^(B)by faith you stand.

²³ but we preach Christ crucified, ^(A)to the Jews a ^[a]stumbling block and to the ^[b]Greeks ^(B)foolishness,

⁵ For ^(A)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a ^[a]cloak for covetousness—^(B)God is witness. ^6 (C)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ^(D)we might have ^(E)made demands ^(F)as apostles of Christ.

³ By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction ^[a]does not slumber.

¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only ^(A)do not use liberty as an ^(B)opportunity for the flesh, but ^(C)through love serve one another.

^2 (A)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, ^(B)not by compulsion but ^[a]willingly, ^(C)not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as ^(D)being ^[b]lords over ^(E)those entrusted to you, but ^(F)being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when ^(G)the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive ^(H)the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, ^(I)all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

¹¹ whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, ^(A)for the sake of dishonest gain.

¹⁰ Therefore ^(A)I endure all things for the sake of the ^[a]elect, ^(B)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.