3 As I have asked you to remain in Ephesus, while I go to teach in Macedonia—do that, so that you may warn certain not to follow other teachings, 4 nor hold to tales and endless lists of genealogies which yield more questions than the building-up of God in faith. 5 But the endpoint of the teachings is pure-hearted love, and a good conscience, and genuine faith, 6 from the which some, having gone astray, are turned aside to prattling vainly, 7 wanting to be teachers of the law, not knowing that of which they speak, nor what they affirm.
8 But we know that the law may be good, if used legitimately, 9 knowing this—that the law is not set down for the righteous, but for the unrighteous, and for the disobedient, the ungodly and the sinners, the irreverent and the profane, the killers of fathers and of mothers, murderers, 10 fornicators, men who sleep with men, kidnappers, liars and perjurers, and if there is anything else which is adverse to a healthy doctrine, 11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which is committed to me, then...
12 But I have the grace of God, which gives me the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is faithful to judge me, placing me in the service, 13 I, who was originally a blasphemer, a violent persecutor; but also, I obtained the mercy of God, for I did it unknowingly, in my unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord has abounded exceedingly, with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.
15 The word is true, and worthy for all to accept, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the greatest of them. 16 But that is why I did obtain mercy—that in me first, Jesus Christ might show all patience to express his exemplar to those who shall believe in him, into eternal life. 17 And to the king of the age, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, may there be honor and glory for an age of ages. Amen.
18 This command I entrust to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies which came before you, that you may battle in them a good battle, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having cast aside have made shipwreck around the faith, 20 of whom are counted in that number Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan so that they might learn not to curse.
5 For one is God, and one the mediator of God and mankind—the man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as the price of redemption for all, a testimony in its times, 7 in which I myself am placed as a preacher and apostle—I speak the truth, I do not lie—a teacher to the nations, in faith and truth.
8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, holding up pure hands without anger or questioning, 9 and likewise the women in modest dress, adorning themselves in modesty and chastity, not with tight braids in their hair, or with gold, or with pearls, or with expensive clothes; 10 but, as would become women, professing godliness by good works. 11 A woman should learn in silence, in all subjection; 12 indeed, I do not permit for women to teach or gain control over the men, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, and then Eve; 14 and it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived in her prevarication. 15 But she may be saved by the bearing of sons, if she shall remain in faith and love, and holiness with chastity.
8 Likewise, ministers should be composed, not of two tongues, sober, not given to much wine, nor lusting after dirty riches, 9 having the mystery of faith in pure conscience, 10 and they should be tested first, and then afterward they may thus serve, so that none of them may have crime to them. 11 Likewise their wives should be modest, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Ministers should be husband to only one wife, raising their children and their own families properly. 13 For those who serve well shall acquire to themselves a good degree, and much freedom in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon, 15 but if I shall be held up, that you may know how to convey yourself in the house of God, which is the living community of God, the column and base of truth. 16 And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, God revealed in flesh, justified in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the nations, believed in the world, and received in glory.
6 If you shall make this to be common with the brothers, you shall be a good minister to Jesus Christ, nourished in words of faith, and good doctrine, which you have been pursuing. 7 However, reject the profane myths of old crones, but exercise yourself to godliness. 8 For exercise of the body has little usefulness, but godliness is useful to everything, having promises of the life present and future.
9 It is a word without doubt, and worthy, to all who shall receive it, 10 for in this also we toil, and are slandered, for we fix our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all people, in the greatest faith.
11 Command these things, and teach them.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be the figure of faithfulness in word, in deed, in love, in hope, in faith, in purity.
13 Until I shall come, keep to your reading, exhortation, and teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift which is within you, which is given to you for prophecy, with the placing-on of hands of the authority of the elder people.
15 Exercise these things, and be in them, so that your profiting may be seen in all people. 16 Keep watch on yourself, and your teaching; persist in them. For if you do so, you shall preserve yourself and those who shall hear you.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow should have children or grandchildren, she should first learn how to lead her own house in godly manner, and return duty to her parents; for this is honest and acceptable before God. 5 But the one who is indeed a widow and desolate should hope in God, and persevere in prayer and supplication night and day. 6 But the one who bears herself in luxury is the living dead.
7 And command this, so that they may be blameless.
8 But if anyone shall not provide for his own, and most of all those of his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
9 A widow should be selected of no less than sixty years of age, who has been the wife of only one man, 10 proven in her good works by the testimony of other people, if she has educated her children, if she has been hospitable, if she has washed the feet of the holy, if she has ministered to the suffering, if she has remained in all good work. 11 But reject the younger widows outright; for when they have become lustful against Christ they will want to marry, 12 having condemnation, for they have rejected their first faith. 13 And so being idle, they will learn to go from house to house, and not only idle, but also gossipers and busybodies, speaking of things which they should not. 14 Therefore, I would rather have the younger ones marry and have children, run their households, and give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil of them. 15 For there are indeed some who have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 So if there should be any faithful men or women with widows, they should minister to them, and not burden the community, so that those who are truly widows may be ministered to.
17 Ancients who preside well shall be worthy to receive twice the honor; most of all those who labor in the word and teaching. 18 For the scripture says, Do not bind the mouth of the ox who treads out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.
19 Do not permit accusation against the ancients unless under two or three witnesses.
20 Dispute those who sin in front of everyone so that the others may have fear.
21 I charge you, in the sight of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you should observe these things without prejudice, favoring one side or another in nothing. 22 Do not lightly place hands on anyone, not bear the sins of a stranger; keep yourself pure.
23 From now on, drink no more water, but use a bit of wine because of your stomach, and your frequent illness.
24 The sins of some people are manifested, preceding them to judgment; and some people also follow them. 25 Likewise also your good works are first revealed; and those which are otherwise cannot be hidden.
3 If anyone shall follow another teaching, and does not consent to the sane words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that teaching which is according to godlessness, 4 that person is puffed up, knowing noting, but unhealthy about question and fighting over words; out of that are born envy, contention, cursing, evil suspicion, 5 perverted conflicts of corrupted minds destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness. 6 Keep your distance from them. But godliness with contentment is a great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and certainly we can carry nothing out, 8 so having food and clothing, we should be content. 9 But those who desire to become rich fall into temptation and a trap, and much greed, foolishness and hurtful things, which drown people in destruction and perdition.
10 But greed is a root of every manner of evil, which some, desiring after it, have strayed from faith, and been caught in much sorrow.
11 But you, man of God, ought to flee from this, and follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, seize upon eternal life, in which you are called, and you have confessed a good confession before many witnesses.
13 I advise you in the sight of God, who brings all things to life, and Jesus Christ, who witnessed a good confession under Pontius Pilate, 14 so that you may preserve the commandment spotless and blameless until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which in his times he will show, that blessed and only-powerful king to kings and master to masters, 16 who alone has immortality, inhabiting light inaccessible; whom no one has seen, nor can they see; to whom be honor and dominion forever, Amen.
17 Command the rich in this world not to be of high mind, nor put their hope in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us all things richly to enjoy, 18 so that they may do good, so that they may be rich in good works, so that they may be ready to impart, communicating freely, 19 setting aside to themselves a good foundation toward the future, so that they may grasp the eternal life.
20 Timothy, keep what is entrusted to you, avoiding profane and empty calling, and oppositions of so-called knowledge, 21 which some, professing, have strayed concerning the faith.
May grace be with you. Amen.