This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;

keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. For some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined,

Now I want the men to offer prayer at any meeting of the church; and let the hands they lift to heaven be holy ??they must be free from anger and dissension.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

I allow no woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man; but let her keep quiet.

And Adam was not seduced by the serpent, but the woman being led astray was first in the transgression.

Likewise let the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not fond of filthy lucre;

And let these be proved first,

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Likewise let their wives be grave, not tattlers, modest, faithful in all things.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.

But let worldly fictions and old wives' tales alone. Train yourself for the religious life.

Let these be your orders and your teaching.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Attend to these duties, let them absorb you, so that all men may note your progress.

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:

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grand children, let these learn first to shew piety at home,

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

as for the widow, who is really such, and without any assistance, let her place all her hopes in God, and be assiduous in supplication and prayer.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Never let any charge be brought against a presbyter, unless it is certified by two or three witnesses.

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.