“Now look at what has happened to them,” announces the Lord. “Once again my people have been taken away. And no one paid anything for them. Those who rule over them brag about it,” announces the Lord. “All day long without stopping, people speak evil things against my name.
“Son of man, speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “Your people spoke evil things against me long ago. They were unfaithful to me.
How terrible it will be for the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Things like that must come. But how terrible for the person who causes them!
So here is the advice I give to younger widows. Get married. Have children. Take care of your own homes. Don’t give the enemy the chance to tell lies about you.
All who are forced to serve as slaves should consider their masters worthy of full respect. Then people will not speak evil things against God’s name and against what we teach.
The younger women must control themselves and be pure. They must take good care of their homes. They must be kind. They must follow the lead of their husbands. Then no one will be able to speak evil things against God’s word.
No one can question the truth. So teach what is true. Then those who oppose you will be ashamed. That’s because they will have nothing bad to say about us.
Many people will follow their lead. These people will do the same evil things the false teachers do. They will cause people to think badly about the way of truth.