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

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:

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

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.

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,

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

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

Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention.

So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,

for the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman is worthy of his hire.

Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.