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.

They are ambitious to be teachers of the Law, although they do not understand either their own words or what the things are about which they make such confident assertions.

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

And they must also be well-tried men, and when found to be of unblemished character then let them serve as deacons.

Press these facts upon them, so that they may live lives free from reproach.

But the younger widows you must not enrol; for as soon as they begin to chafe against the yoke of Christ, they want to marry,

and they incur disapproval for having broken their original vow.

And at the same time they also learn to be idle as they go round from house to house; and they are not only idle, but are gossips also and busybodies, speaking of things that ought not to be spoken of.

And those who have believing masters should not be wanting in respect towards them because they are their brethren, but should serve them all the more willingly because those who profit by the faithful service rendered are believers and are friends.

and persistent wranglings on the part of people whose intellects are disordered and they themselves blinded to all knowledge of the truth; who imagine that godliness means gain.

Impress on those who are rich in the present age that they must not be haughty nor set their hopes on riches--that unstable foundation--but on God who provides us richly with all things for our enjoyment.

They must be beneficent, rich in noble deeds, open-handed and liberal;

storing up for themselves that which shall be a solid foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of the Life which is life indeed.