Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to a command of God our Saviour, and of the Lord Jesus Christ our hope,

and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I make the same request now.

Now we know that, excellent, is the law, if one put it to a lawful use: -

knowing this, that law has not its application to a righteous person, but to the lawless and insubordinate, to the impious and sinful, to the unholy and profane, to smiters of fathers and smiters of mothers; to murderers,

who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone] for all, the testimony given at the right and proper time.

for this I was establish'd a herald and an apostle, I speak the truth without disguise, a doctor to instruct the Gentiles in the true faith.

I do not consent to a woman's becoming a teacher, or exercising authority over a man; she ought to be silent.

This is a faithful saying, "If any man is seeking the office of a minister he is aspiring to a noble task."

not a new convert, lest having been puffed up he may fall to a judgment of the devil;

Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not devoted to a lot of wine, not greedy for money;

for they who duly discharge that office, prepare their way to a higher degree, and may promote the christian faith with the greater freedom.

Do not neglect [using] the gift [i.e., of serving as an evangelist. See II Tim. 4:5], which was given to you in response to a prophetic message [or, prediction], along with the laying on of the elders' hands [i.e., signifying your appointment].

Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself; but entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as brothers;

the elder women too as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, with perfect modesty.

Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it comes from two or three witnesses.

Fight the good battle of the faith; take hold of never ending life, to which you were called [i.e., by the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14], [when] you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [Note: This "confession" probably refers to a person's acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Christ prior to his immersion. See Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9-10].