¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

¹⁸ Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

¹⁶ But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

¹⁸ Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

²² You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.^[a] Love each other deeply with all your heart.^[b]

²¹ We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.

² Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

² We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.