¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths^(A) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!^(B)

6 Therefore let us move beyond^(A) the elementary teachings^(B) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[a](C) and of faith in God,

The Church and Its Leaders

3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit^(A) but as people who are still worldly^(B)—mere infants^(C) in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food,^(D) for you were not yet ready for it.^(E) Indeed, you are still not ready. ³ You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling^(F) among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(A) so that by it you may grow up^(B) in your salvation,

¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,^(A) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(A) or addicted to much wine,^(B) but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women^(C) to love their husbands and children,

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(A) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(B) through psalms,^(C) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^(D)

¹⁰ For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching^(A) its decrees and laws in Israel.