¹¹ And He ^(A)gave ^(B)some as apostles, some as prophets, some as ^(C)evangelists, some as ^[a]pastors and ^(D)teachers, ^12 (E)for the equipping of the ^[b]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of ^(F)the body of Christ; ¹³ until we all attain to ^(G)the unity of the faith, and of the ^[c](H)knowledge of the Son of God, to a ^(I)mature man, to the measure of the stature ^[d]which belongs to the ^(J)fullness of Christ. ^14 [e]As a result, we are ^(K)no longer to be children, ^(L)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by ^(M)craftiness ^[f]in ^(N)deceitful scheming; ¹⁵ but ^[g]speaking the truth ^(O)in love, ^[h]we are to ^(P)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the ^(Q)head, that is, Christ, ¹⁶ from whom ^(R)the whole body, being fitted and held together ^[i]by what every joint supplies, according to the ^[j]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself ^(S)in love.

Christian Conduct

¹² But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to ^(A)recognize those ^(B)who diligently labor among you and ^[a](C)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you ^[b]instruction, ¹³ and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. ^(D)Live in peace with one another.

^17 (A)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(B)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not ^[a]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

^18 (C)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a ^(D)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.