As I begged you when I was setting out for Macedonia, stay where you are at Ephesus, and instruct certain individuals there not to be teaching heterodoxy,

neither give heed to fables and genealogies, which are endless, and breed doubts, more than Godly edifying which is by faith:

From which some, having missed the mark, are turned aside to vain jangling:

wanting to be teachers of the Law [of Moses], even though they do not understand the terms they use or the subjects about which they make [such] confident declarations.

We are conscious that the law is good, if a man makes a right use of it,

understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

Yet exceeding abundant was the favour of our Lord, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

But because of this I was shown mercy, in order that in me foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his total patience, for an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

These are the instructions that I intrust to you, my son Timothy, and they are in accordance with the predictions made long ago about you. Fight the good fight with their aid,

holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust from them, as it respects faith have made shipwreck; of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan to be so disciplined that they will stop their abusive speech.

Well, my very first counsel is that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving, are to be offered for all men ??2 for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a tranquil life in all piety and gravity;

for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead peaceful, quiet lives in perfect piety and seriousness.

for such offices are commendable, and agreeable to God our saviour,

So I want the men everywhere to offer prayer, lifting to heaven holy hands which are kept unstained by anger and dissensions.

Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel,

But clothed with good works, as is right for women who are living in the fear of God.

Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm.

He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way.

It is needful, moreover, to have, an honourable testimony also, from them who are without, lest, into reproach, he fall, and the snare of the adversary.

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;

They, too, should first be tested till approved, and then, if they are found above reproach, they should serve as deacons.

Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.

Deacons are only to be married once, and they must manage their children and households properly.

For those who have well discharged the duties of a deacon are gaining an honorable position for themselves, as well as much fearless confidence in the faith of Christ Jesus.

so that if I am delayed, you may know how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God, for it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Yes, and confessedly wonderful are the deep truths of our religion; for-- 'He was revealed in our nature, pronounced righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.'

Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;

forbidding to marry, bidding to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth.

For all the creatures of God are good: and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

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.

exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.

To this end we are toiling and struggling, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers.

These are the things you must insist on and teach.

Let no one think little of you because you are young, but always set an example for believers, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Do not be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed, which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when the hands of the elders were placed upon you.

Always care for widows who are really dependent.

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.

As for the woman who is really widowed and left quite alone, her hopes are fixed on God, and she devotes herself to prayers and supplications night and day.

Those are the points on which you should dwell, that there may be no call for your censure.

A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having been] the wife of one man,

being testified in good works: if she has reared children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the sanctified, if she has relieved those who are afflicted, if she has followed every good work.

But refuse younger widows, for when they are sexually aroused, they desire of the Christ to marry,

And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;

Moreover, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and are not only idlers, but gossips also, and busybodies, repeating things they ought not.

For even now some are turned away to Satan.

If a Christian woman has widowed relatives, she should help them, and let the church be free from the burden, so that it can help the widows who are really dependent.

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says, "You are not to muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain;" and the workman deserves his pay.

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

Those who are guilty reprove in public, so that others may be warned.

Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.

Some men's sins are very evident and clearly lead them on to judgment, but the sins of others lag behind.

Good deeds, too, are usually very evident, and if they are not, they cannot be completely concealed.

All who are under the yoke of slavery must esteem their masters to be deserving the highest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be abused.

Those who have Christian masters must not pay them less respect because they are brothers; they must serve them all the better, because those who get the benefit of their service are believers and so are dear to them. These are the things that you must continue to teach and urge them to do.

If any man teach another doctrine, and attend not to the sound words, which are those of Jesus Christ our Lord, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

and perpetual friction between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth, who imagine that religion is only a means of gain.

For we came into the world with nothing, and we are not able to take anything out;

With food to eat and clothes to wear; content we are in everything.

But those who have a desire for wealth are falling into danger, and are taken as in a net by a number of foolish and damaging desires, through which men are overtaken by death and destruction.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life for which thou are called, and confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

Since you are in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and in the presence of the Messiah Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, I solemnly charge you

which he will show in his own times, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of those who are kings, and Lord of those who are lords,

Upon them who are rich in the present age, lay thou charge - not to be high-minded, nor to have set their hope on, riches', uncertainty, - but on God, who offereth us all things richly for enjoying,

They are to do good, to be rich in good actions, to be generous, and to share.

for there are those who, while asserting their proficiency in it, have yet, as regards the Faith, gone altogether astray. God bless you all.