Titus 2:1-15

¹ But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

⁹ Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

1 Corinthians 4:1-18

¹ This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

⁴ For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

⁵ Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

⁶ I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

⁷ For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!

⁹ For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

¹⁰ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

¹¹ To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,

¹² and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

¹³ when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

¹⁴ I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

¹⁵ For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

¹⁶ I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

¹⁷ That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

¹⁸ Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.