Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God.

For I am the least of all the apostles---I do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God's church.

So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son.

For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

If you make fun of poor people, you insult the God who made them. You will be punished if you take pleasure in someone's misfortune.

Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.

But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich!