15 Bible Verses about Ministers

"You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.’

for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name.

or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith.

In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a time you were willing to enjoy his light.

and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up.

I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power.

if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.

For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher,

For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly realm, they might live by God in the spiritual realm.

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance.

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.]

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea

Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, having the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.

I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded.

Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless;

by beatings, by imprisonments,
by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,

Are they servants of Christ?
I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one:
with far more labors,
many more imprisonments,
far worse beatings, near death many times.

Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.

So even though I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong, or because of the one who was wronged, but in order that your diligence for us might be made plain to you in the sight of God.

Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches.

For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

Her leaders issue rulings for a bribe,
her priests teach for payment,
and her prophets practice divination for money.
Yet they lean on the Lord, saying,
“Isn’t the Lord among us?
No disaster will overtake us.”

For from the least to the greatest of them,
everyone is making profit dishonestly.
From prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.

Israel’s watchmen are blind, all of them,
they know nothing;
all of them are mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they dream, lie down,
and love to sleep.

because both prophet and priest are ungodly,
even in My house I have found their evil.
This is the Lord’s declaration.

נ NunYour prophets saw visions for you
that were empty and deceptive;
they did not reveal your guilt
and so restore your fortunes.
They saw oracles for you
that were empty and misleading.

because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example.

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.

Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.

because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example.

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.

Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.

They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Those who are wise will shine
like the bright expanse of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness,
like the stars forever and ever.

For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of My name, since you belong to the Messiah—I assure you: He will never lose his reward.

Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.

As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”

Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.

As you go, announce this: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”

For the Scripture says:

Do not muzzle an ox
while it is treading out the grain, and,
the worker is worthy of his wages.

Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick, for the worker is worthy of his food.

In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.

The one who is taught the message must share all his good things with the teacher.

Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

For the Scripture says:

Do not muzzle an ox
while it is treading out the grain, and,
the worker is worthy of his wages.

Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick, for the worker is worthy of his food.

In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.

The one who is taught the message must share all his good things with the teacher.

Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,

Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.

I will give you shepherds who are loyal to Me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.

I will appoint over them a single shepherd, My servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd.

I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any be missing.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.

I will give you shepherds who are loyal to Me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.

I will appoint over them a single shepherd, My servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd.

I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any be missing.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

For we are not like the many who market God’s message for profit. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.

For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—

Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth.

For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.

teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

Teach and encourage these things.

Command and teach these things.

instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.

teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

Teach and encourage these things.

Command and teach these things.

instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the trumpet, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.

He said to me: "Son of man, eat what you find [here]. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. "Son of man," he said to me, "eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you." So I ate [it], and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. read more.
Then He said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak My words to them. For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language but to the house of Israel. [You are] not [being sent] to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. No doubt, if I sent you to them, they would listen to you. But the house of Israel will not want to listen to you because they do not want to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hardheaded and hardhearted. Look, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. I have made your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Don't be afraid of them or discouraged by [the look on] their faces, even though they are a rebellious house." Next He said to me: "Son of man, listen carefully to all My words that I speak to you and take [them] to heart. Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them: This is what the Lord God says, whether they listen or refuse [to listen]." The Spirit then lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me-praise the glory of the Lord in His place!- with the sound of the living creatures' wings brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a great rumbling sound. So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the Lord's hand was on me powerfully. I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were living by the Chebar Canal, and I sat there stunned for seven days. Now at the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.

I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions.

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge, and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.

Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor,

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.

and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.

It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.

Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.

Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.

Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

Now I appeal to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf.

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.

As you know, like a father with his own children,

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit,

When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Jerusalem,
I have appointed watchmen on your walls;
they will never be silent, day or night.
There is no rest for you,
who remind the Lord.

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

I appointed watchmen over you
and said: Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.
But they protested, “We won’t listen!”

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus,

How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you,

Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor,

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

The one who is taught the message must share all his good things with the teacher.

He told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote their energy to the law of the Lord.

Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn't the law also say the same thing? For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. Is God really concerned with oxen? read more.
Or isn't He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;

Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.

not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

I will give you shepherds who are loyal to Me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love , the first 2 times by Jesus (vv. 15-16 ); and phileo , the last time by Jesus (v. 17 ) and all 3 times by Peter (vv. 15-17 ). Peter's threefold confession of love for Jesus corresponds to his earlier threefold denial of Jesus; Jn 18:15-18 , 25-27 . Me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said to Him, "You know that I love You." "Feed My lambs," He told him. A second time He asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" "Yes, Lord," he said to Him, "You know that I love You." "Shepherd My sheep," He told him. He asked him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, "Do you love Me?" He said, "Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You." "Feed My sheep," Jesus said.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you?

But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love, and that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. read more.
How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience because of you before our God,

“Cry out loudly, don’t hold back!
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Tell My people their transgression
and the house of Jacob their sins.

“But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words, though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words or be discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops. Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed.

Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Now I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.

What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.

They are to be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they present the fire offerings to Yahweh, the food of their God, and they must be holy.

“You are to make a pure gold medallion and engrave it, like the engraving of a seal:

HOLY TO THE LORD.

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,

For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed.

This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed.

This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Now as you excel in everything—faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this grace.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you.

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.

For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me.

So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

as you have partially understood us—that we are your reason for pride, as you are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours.

We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;

as grieving yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing yet possessing everything.

Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.

Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,

Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them.

You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries.

for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.

and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house.

“Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all about this life.”

But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:

by great endurance, by afflictions,
by hardship, by difficulties,

The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,

Then I said: Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, [and] because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth [with it] and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, and your sin is atoned for.

not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God. He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.

But if that wicked slave says in his heart, 'My master is delayed,' and starts to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, that slave's master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. read more.
He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn't blow the trumpet, so that the people aren't warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood. "As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. If I say to the wicked: Wicked one, you will surely die, but you do not speak out to warn him about his way, that wicked person will die for his iniquity, yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.

the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment.

But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.

My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

For this reason I kneel before the Father

always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

Israel's watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep. These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain. "Come, let me get [some] wine, let's guzzle [some] beer; and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!"

For there are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those from Judaism. It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching for dishonest gain what they should not.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle,

one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.

Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,

Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

They have treated My people’s brokenness superficially,
claiming, “Peace, peace,”
when there is no peace.