Children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me, ¹  and just as I said to the Jewish religious leaders, ²  ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ ³  now I tell you the same. ⁴ 

For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, ¹  as I teach them everywhere in every church.

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect ¹  because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. ² Teach them and exhort them about these things. ³ 

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, ¹  be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men ²  and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. ³ 

(My little children, ¹  I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. ² ) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate ³  with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, ⁴ 

(19:1) ¹  The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, ²  Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!” ³ 

The Lord values the lives of his faithful followers. ¹ 

My child, if sinners ¹  try to entice ²  you, do not consent! ³ 

Listen, my child, ¹  and be wise, and guide your heart on the right way.

by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of precious and pleasing treasures.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling! There is no blemish in you!

How beautiful you are! How lovely, O love, ¹  with your delights! ² 

I will destroy ¹  Daughter Zion, ²  who is as delicate and defenseless as a young maiden. ³ 

Streams ¹  of tears flow from my eyes ²  because my people ³  are destroyed. ⁴ 

(Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.) ¹ 

Thus the people who had come to mourn ¹  said, “Look how much he loved him!”

But you, ¹  brothers and sisters, ²  are children of the promise like Isaac.

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, ¹  about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. ² 

So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Therefore do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, ¹  if the world hates you. ²