¹⁶ no longer as a slave,^(A) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^(B) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

² Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.^(A) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare^[a] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.^(B)

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

²² Now that you have purified^(A) yourselves by obeying^(B) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(C) from the heart.^{[a] 23} For you have been born again,^(D) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(E) through the living and enduring word of God.^(F)

Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters,^(A) who share in the heavenly calling,^(B) fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge^(C) as our apostle and high priest.^(D)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(B) just as you would obey Christ.^{(C) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(D) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^(E)

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(A) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(B) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(C) It is the same now.

²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(A) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^(B)