⁷ Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^(A)

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴ I am writing this not to shame you^(A) but to warn you as my dear children.^(B)

¹⁹ My dear children,^(A) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^(B)

² To Timothy^(A) my true son^(B) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(C)

¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(A) Onesimus,^[a](B) who became my son while I was in chains.^(C)

2 My dear children,^(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.