Forefeast of Nativity

I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith, ²⁰of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

⁸I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. ⁹In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, ¹⁰but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness. ¹¹Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. ¹²But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. ¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; ¹⁵but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. ¹²If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

¹³They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. ¹⁵Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” ¹⁶He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.