Read the Bible

Make the Good Ride

¹ Remind the cowboys to respect the government and its authorities. Be respectful at all times and always be ready to ride for the good. ² They shouldn't be trash-talkers and should stay a far piece from any sort of quarreling. Show them how to be humble, gentle, and kind at all times, not just when it's convenient.

³ There was a time when we were all troublemakers. We thought we were tough, but we were merely slaves to sin, lust, and personal pleasures. Our lives were guided by our own opinions filled with evil, lust, and jealousy. It's no wonder we squabbled with everyone over everything. ⁴ But everything changed for us when Jesus came. ⁵ He saved us, not because we'd done something good, but because he did it all perfect and had mercy on our souls. He took the tally book of our sins and erased it once and for all through our new birth and new ride through the Holy Ghost. ⁶ God doused us with his power through Jesus Christ who saved us. ⁷ This is God's grace that has made us right in his sight. We are absolutely certain heaven waits on Jesus's cowboys.

⁸ Don't forget any of this. Drill it into people's heads so they will saddle up every single day and ride for Jesus. There's nothing we've said that won't show people the right way, even if it seems hard.

⁹ Don't get your thumb caught in the dally of silly arguments about pedigrees or whether we should follow Jewish customs. These talks are absolutely useless and a complete waste of time. ¹⁰ If someone starts causing trouble, warn them a couple of times. Everyone gets caught up sometimes and makes a mistake. But if they continue, show them their walking papers, and have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ Don't let people who've turned away from the truth split the herd. They'll get what's coming to them.

The Final Adios

¹² I'm thinking about sending either Artemas or Tychicus your way. When one of them gets there, meet them at Nicopolis. That's where I plan on wintering. ¹³ Do anything you can to help that lawyer Zenas, as well as Apollos, with the trip they are going to make. ¹⁴ Our cowboys must learn to fill the gap. There's always something to do to help someone else. We want them to make a hand, not sit on them.

¹⁵ Everyone here says hello. Tell all the cowboys there that I'm thinking about them and I love them.

Grace to y'all.