[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope [of never ending life. See Titus 3:7].

Just as I urged you [when I] traveled to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus, so that you may instruct certain people not to teach other doctrine,

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

so do, and acquaint them that the end of that charge is charity, out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned:

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

and whoremongers; to them that defile themselves with mankind; to menstealers; to liars and to perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome doctrine

me, I say, who before was a reviler and a persecutor and an overbearing man. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief:

and our Lord's grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.

But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Now to the King of the ages [eternal], immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, so that [inspired and aided] by them you may fight the good fight [in contending with false teachers],

To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.

Hymenaeus and Alexander are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God's purpose at his appointed time.

in regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle -- truth I say in Christ, I do not lie -- a teacher of nations, in faith and truth.

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

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

For Adam was created first, and then Eve was. [See Gen. 1:27; 2:21-22].

and Adam was not deceived, but his wife was thoroughly deceived, and so became involved in transgression.

But she [i.e., womankind] will be saved [from condemnation, in spite of the "curse" of suffering pain] through childbearing [See Gen. 3:16], provided they [i.e., all women] continue to have faith and love and holiness, along with discretion.

So the pastor must be a man above reproach, must have only one wife, must be temperate, sensible, well-behaved, hospitable, skillful in teaching;

(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

He must not be a recent convert, so that he won't become arrogant and fall into the Devil's condemnation.

And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.

Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,

And let these also be first proved, and if found blameless, then let them enter on the deacon's office.

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

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.

I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you

but if I delay, in order that thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God's house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.

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.

who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These men's consciences are seared,

For everything in God's creation is good, and nothing is to be refused, provided it is accepted with thanksgiving;

for it is sanctified by God's word and freely addressing him.

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.

and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety,

Command and teach these things [i.e., the foregoing teaching. See verse 6-7].

Do not allow anyone to look down on you because you are [so] young, but you should be an example to those who believe [in Christ] in your speech, in your conduct, in your love, in your faith [and] in your purity.

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].

Practice and work hard on these things; be absorbed in them [completely occupied in your ministry], so that your progress will be evident to all.

Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:

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.

Keep instructing [the people to do] these things as well, so that they may be blameless and beyond reproach.

Let, a widow, be put on the list - having become, not less than sixty years old, one man's, wife,

She must have been true to her one husband, and well reported of for good deeds, as having brought up children, received strangers hospitably, washed the feet of God's people, given relief to the distressed, and devoted herself to good works of every kind.

But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;

and so they incur condemnation for having set aside their previous pledge.

And, at the same time, they learn also to be idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.

So I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and not give opponents of the faith any occasion for slander.

If any believing woman has [dependent] widows [in her household], she must assist them [according to her ability]; and the church must not be burdened [with them], so that it may assist those who are truly widows [those who are all alone and are dependent].

For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

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

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.

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

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

Likewise, good deeds are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be hidden [indefinitely].

All who are under the yoke as bond-servants (slaves) are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor and respect so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] will not be spoken against.

See that they which have believing masters despise them not because they are brethren: but so much the rather do service, forasmuch as they are believing and beloved and partakers of the benefits. These things teach and exhort.

So teach and exhort. If any one is a teacher of any other kind of doctrine, and refuses assent to wholesome instructions--those of our Lord Jesus Christ--and the teaching that harmonizes with true godliness,

And so it is ??provided it goes with a contented spirit;

For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out.

So, with food and shelter, we will be content.

For from love of money all sorts of evils arise; and some have so hankered after money as to be led astray from the faith and be pierced through with countless sorrows.

But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

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].

I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17],

that you keep God's commandments stainlessly and without reproach till the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.

In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

which some have professed and by doing so have erred (missed the mark) and strayed from the faith.Grace be with you.