It was my desire, when I went on into Macedonia, that you might make a stop at Ephesus, to give orders to certain men not to put forward a different teaching,

Or to give attention to stories and long lists of generations, from which come questionings and doubts, in place of God's ordered way of life which is in faith;

Which may be seen in the good news of the glory of the great God, which was given into my care.

I give praise to him who gave me power, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he took me to be true, making me his servant,

Though I had said violent words against God, and done cruel acts, causing great trouble: but I was given mercy, because I did it without knowledge, not having faith;

It is a true saying, in which all may put their faith, that Christ Jesus came into the world to give salvation to sinners, of whom I am the chief:

But for this reason I was given mercy, so that in me, the chief of sinners, Jesus Christ might make clear all his mercy, as an example to those who in the future would have faith in him to eternal life.

This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight,

Such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given up to Satan, so that they may say no more evil words against God.

My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men;

Who gave himself as an offering for all; witness of which was to be given at the right time;

It is my desire, then, that in every place men may give themselves to prayer, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or argument.

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 without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.

But have nothing to do with unclean and foolish stories. Give yourself training in religion:

Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching.

Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you.

Have a care for these things; give yourself to them with all your heart, so that all may see how you go forward.

Give attention to yourself and your teaching. Go on in these things; for in doing so you will get salvation for yourself and for those who give hearing to you.

Give honour to widows who are truly widows.

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.

Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.

And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.

Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.

I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.

Let all who are servants under the yoke give all honour to their masters, so that no evil may be said against the name of God and his teaching.

And let those whose masters are of the faith have respect for them because they are brothers, working for them the more readily, because those who take part in the good work are of the faith and are dear. Give orders and teaching about these things.

If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,

I give you orders before God, the giver of life, and Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate gave witness to the faith,

Give orders to those who have money and goods in this life, not to be lifted up in their minds, or to put their hope in the uncertain chances of wealth, but in God who gives us in full measure all things for our use;

And to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another;

O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;