Concluding Religious Directions

⁷ Remember those who ^[a]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

^17 (A)Obey those who ^[a]rule over you, and be submissive, for ^(B)they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Various Exhortations

¹² And we urge you, brethren, ^(A)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and ^[a]admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. ^(B)Be at peace among yourselves.

¹² that you do not become ^[a]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience ^(A)inherit the promises.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

¹⁷ Brethren, ^(A)join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as ^(B)you have us for a pattern.

⁵ (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

⁶ And ^(A)you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, ^(B)with joy of the Holy Spirit,

²³ So when they had ^(A)appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant^(A)

^45 (B)“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food ^[a]in due season?

²⁴ Greet all those who ^[a]rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.