² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

⁷ The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

¹¹ In the same way, their wives^[a] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

¹³ This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.

² So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[a] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

⁸ But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

³ Because of the privilege and authority^[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.^[b]