⁵ (For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)

¹³ And you are to say to him that I will send punishment on his family for ever, for the sin which he had knowledge of; because his sons have been cursing God and he had no control over them.

¹⁵ But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.

²⁹ Why then are you looking with envy on my offerings of meat and of meal which were ordered by my word, honouring your sons before me, and making yourselves fat with all the best of the offerings of Israel, my people?

³⁰ For this reason the Lord God of Israel has said, Truly I did say that your family and your father's people would have their place before me for ever: but now the Lord says, Let it not be so; I will give honour to those by whom I am honoured, and those who have no respect for me will be of small value in my eyes.

²⁸ Give attention to yourselves, and to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has given into your care, to give food to the church of God, for which he gave his blood.

³² Give no cause of trouble to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God.

²² And he has put all things under his feet, and has made him to be head over all things to the church,

²⁴ And as the church is under Christ's authority, so let wives be under the rule of their husbands in all things.

³² This is a great secret: but my words are about Christ and the church.