¹¹ Command and teach these things.^{(A) 12} Don’t let anyone look down on you^(B) because you are young, but set an example^(C) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith^(D) and in purity. ¹³ Until I come,^(E) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(F) to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(G) when the body of elders^(H) laid their hands on you.^(I)

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save^(J) both yourself and your hearers.

⁴⁶ An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.^{(A) 47} Jesus, knowing their thoughts,^(B) took a little child and had him stand beside him. ⁴⁸ Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.^(C) For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”^(D)

The Little Children and Jesus^(A)

¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child^(B) will never enter it.”