"Do not call[anyone] on earthyour father;for Oneis your Father,He who is in heaven.
When Elishabecamesickwith the illnessof whichhe was to die,Joashthe kingof Israelcamedownto him and weptoverhim and said,"My father,my father,the chariotsof Israeland its horsemen!"
Elishasaw[it] and criedout, "My father,my father,the chariotsof Israeland its horsemen!"And he sawElijah nomore.Then he tookholdof his own clothesand torethem in twopieces.
Then the kingof Israelwhen he sawthem, saidto Elisha,"My father,shall I killthem? Shall I killthem?"
"'A sonhonors[his] father,and a servanthis master.Then ifI am a father,whereis My honor?And ifI am a master,whereis My respect?'saysthe LORDof hoststo you, O priestswho despiseMy name.But you say,'Howhave we despisedYour name?'
"Do not be calledleaders;for Oneis your Leader,[that is], Christ.
"For the Gentileseagerly seekallthese things;for your heavenlyFatherknowsthat you needallthese things.
"Ifyou then,beingevil,know howto givegoodgiftsto your children,how muchmorewill your Fatherwho is in heavengivewhat is goodto thosewho askHim!
"Brethrenand fathers,hearmy defensewhich I now[offer] to you."
For ifyou were to havecountlesstutorsin Christ,yet[you would] not [have] manyfathers,for in ChristJesusI became your fatherthroughthe gospel.
"And I will be a fatherto you, And you shall be sonsand daughtersto Me," Saysthe LordAlmighty.
Furthermore,we hadearthlyfathersto disciplineus, and we respectedthem; shall we not muchratherbe subjectto the Fatherof spirits,and live?
Seehow greata lovethe Fatherhas bestowedon us, that we would be calledchildrenof God;and [such] we are. For thisreasonthe worlddoes not knowus, becauseit did not knowHim.
