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Duties of the Older and Younger

¹ But as for you, teach the things which are in agreement with ^(C1)sound doctrine which produces men and women of good character whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christians.^2 (C1)Older men are to be ^(C2)temperate, dignified, sensible, ^(C3)sound ^(C4)in faith, in love, in steadfastness Christlike in character.

³ Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, ^(C1)not malicious gossips nor ^(C2)addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good,⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children,⁵ to be sensible, pure, ^(C1)makers of a home where God is honored, good-natured, being ^(C2)subject to their own husbands, ^(C3)so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

⁶ In a similar way urge ^(C1)the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely taking life seriously.⁷ And in all things show yourself to be ^(C1)an example of good works, with purity in doctrine having the strictest regard for integrity and truth, dignified,⁸ sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so ^(C1)that the opponent of the faith will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Urge ^(C1)bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back,¹⁰ not stealing things, regardless of value, but proving themselves trustworthy, so that in every respect they will adorn and do credit to the teaching of ^(C1)God our Savior.

¹¹ For the remarkable, undeserved grace of God that ^(F1)(C1)brings salvation has appeared ^(C2)to all men.¹² It teaches us to reject ungodliness and ^(C1)worldly (immoral) desires, and ^(C2)to live sensible, upright, and godly lives with a purpose that reflects spiritual maturity ^(C3)in this present age,¹³ awaiting and confidently expecting the fulfillment of our blessed hope and the glorious ^(C1)appearing of ^(C2)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,¹⁴ who willingly ^(C1)gave Himself to be crucified on our behalf ^(C2)to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and ^(C3)to purify for Himself a ^(C4)chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are ^(C5)enthusiastic for doing what is good. ^(VR1)

¹⁵ Tell them these things. ^(C1)Encourage and ^(C1)rebuke with full authority. ^(C2)Let no one disregard or despise you conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect.