²⁹ We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, ^(A)we do not know where he comes from.” ³⁰ The man answered, “Why, this is ^(B)an amazing thing! ^(C)You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. ³¹ We know that ^(D)God does not listen to sinners, but ^(E)if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. ³² Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. ^33 (F)If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁴ They answered him, ^(G)“You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they ^(H)cast him out.

² Therefore ^(A)an overseer^[a] must be above reproach, ^(B)the husband of one wife,^{[b] (C)}sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, ^(D)hospitable, ^(E)able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but ^(F)gentle, not quarrelsome, ^(G)not a lover of money.

⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by ^(A)outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ^(B)a snare of the devil.

A Call to Persevere

¹⁷ But you must ^(A)remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They^[a] said to you, ^(B)“In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ¹⁹ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, ^(C)devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, ^(D)building yourselves up in your most holy faith and ^(E)praying in the Holy Spirit, ^21 (F)keep yourselves in the love of God, ^(G)waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by ^(H)snatching them out of ^(I)the fire; to others show mercy ^(J)with fear, hating even ^(K)the garment^[b] stained by the flesh.