Preach the word, be ready to serve God in good times and bad, correct people’s mistakes. Warn them, encourage them with words of hope, and be very patient as you do these things. Teach the people carefully,
That’s why I’m writing these things now, while I’m away. Then when I do come, I won’t have to use my authority and be hard on you. The Lord gave me that authority to build you up, not to tear you down.
If you point out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be serving Christ Jesus well. You’ll show that you’ve been strengthened by the truths of the faith and by the good teaching you’ve obeyed.
for those who commit sexual sins and homosexual acts. It’s for people who buy and sell slaves, who lie, and who give false witness in court. And it’s for anything else that goes against the true teaching