As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain individuals not to teach any different doctrines,

neither give heed to fables and genealogies, which are endless, and breed doubts, more than Godly edifying which is by faith:

From which some, having missed the mark, are turned aside to vain jangling:

wanting to be teachers of the Law [of Moses], even though they do not understand the terms they use or the subjects about which they make [such] confident declarations.

We are conscious that the law is good, if a man makes a right use of it,

understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

The grace of our Lord [His amazing, unmerited favor and blessing] flowed out in superabundance [for me, together] with the faith and love which are [realized] in Christ Jesus.

But because of this I was shown mercy, in order that in me foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his total patience, for an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

These are the instructions that I intrust to you, my son Timothy, and they are in accordance with the predictions made long ago about you. Fight the good fight with their aid,

holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust from them, as it respects faith have made shipwreck; of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I did deliver to the Adversary, that they might be instructed not to speak evil.

Well, my very first counsel is that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving, are to be offered for all men ??2 for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a tranquil life in all piety and gravity;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

for such offices are commendable, and agreeable to God our saviour,

So then I would have the men everywhere pray, lifting to God holy hands which are unstained with anger or strife;

Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel,

but with good deeds which are fitting for women who profess godliness.

Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm.

He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

and these also must be tested first; then let them serve [if they] are above reproach.

Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.

Deacons are only to be married once, and they must manage their children and households properly.

For those who have filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on Christ Jesus.

so that if I am delayed, you may know how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God, for it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Yes, and confessedly wonderful are the deep truths of our religion; for-- 'He was revealed in our nature, pronounced righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.'

[misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning],

forbidding to marry, bidding to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth.

For all the creatures of God are good: and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

If you warn the brethren of these dangers you will be a good and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower.

exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.

for for this we both labour and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men -- especially of those believing.

These are the things you must insist on and teach.

Let no one think slightingly of you because you are a young man; but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, be an example for your fellow Christians to imitate.

Do not be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed, which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when the hands of the elders were placed upon you.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

As for the woman who is really widowed and left quite alone, her hopes are fixed on God, and she devotes herself to prayers and supplications night and day.

Those are the points on which you should dwell, that there may be no call for your censure.

A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having been] the wife of one man,

being well-attested by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has helped those who are oppressed, if she has devoted herself to every good work.

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry

And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;

And at the same time also, going around from house to house, they learn [to be] idle, and not only idle, but also gossipy and busybodies, saying the things [that are] not necessary.

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says, "You are not to muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain;" and the workman deserves his pay.

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will be warned.

Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

If any man teach another doctrine, and attend not to the sound words, which are those of Jesus Christ our Lord, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

and perpetual friction between men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a source of profit [a lucrative, money-making business—withdraw from them].

for nothing did we bring into the world -- it is manifest that we are able to carry nothing out;

With food to eat and clothes to wear; content we are in everything.

But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Since you are in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and in the presence of the Messiah Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, I solemnly charge you

which he will show in his own times, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of those who are kings, and Lord of those who are lords,

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

They are to do good, to be rich in good actions, to be generous, and to share.

for there are those who, while asserting their proficiency in it, have yet, as regards the Faith, gone altogether astray. God bless you all.