⁸ but he must be hospitable,^[a] a lover of goodness, self-controlled, upright, devout, and restrained,

² Now a bishop^[a] must be above reproach, married only once,^[b] temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,^(A)

⁷ in all things, offering yourself as a model of good works and in your teaching offering integrity, gravity,

⁷ When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord today, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.”

Faith Conquers the World

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ^[a] has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.^(A)

¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brothers and sisters. Whoever does not love abides in death.^(A)

The Good Fight of Faith

¹¹ But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

¹² Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.^(A)

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.^(A)

⁴ but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵ beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;^{(A) 6} in purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷ truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;^{(B) 8} in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors and yet are true,