I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

You

Brothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct you.

Warn

Their houses will be turned over to others their fields and wives together when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land," declares the LORD.

"Son of Man," he said, "I've appointed you to be a watchman over the house of Israel. Therefore when you hear a message that comes from me, you are to warn them for me.

and if he notices that violence is approaching and sounds an alarm to warn the people,

because I never shrank from telling you the whole plan of God.

I'm not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to warn you as my dear children.

It is he whom we proclaim as we admonish and wisely teach everyone, so that we may present everyone mature in the Messiah.

That

An elder must be blameless. He must be the husband of one wife and have children who are believers and who are not accused of having wild lifestyles or of being rebellious.

Unruly

We hear that some of you are living in idleness. You are not busy working you are busy interfering in other people's lives!

Be

In all their distress he wasn't distressed, but the angel of his presence saved them; in his acts of love and in his acts of pity he redeemed them; he carried them and lifted them up all the days of old.

Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

demonstrating all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love.

So be imitators of God, as his dear children.

Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money.

But you, man of God, must flee from all these things. Instead, you must pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

A servant of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable, willing to suffer wrong,

to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach.

He can deal gently with people who are ignorant and easily deceived, since he himself is subject to weakness.

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them, as well as those who are mistreated, since they also are only mortal.

General references

Therefore, strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees,