¹ The elder,^(A)

To the lady chosen by God^(B) and to her children, whom I love in the truth^(C)—and not I only, but also all who know the truth^(D)—

² older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

The Crucifixion of Jesus^(A)

²¹ A certain man from Cyrene,^(B) Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus,^(C) was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.^(D)

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you^(A) so that you might go and bear fruit^(B)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.^(C)

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[a](B) to be saved^(C) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit^(D) and through belief in the truth.

⁴ For he chose us^(A) in him before the creation of the world^(B) to be holy and blameless^(C) in his sight. In love^(D)

²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”