Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the order of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope;

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Or to give attention to stories and long lists of generations, from which come questionings and doubts, in place of God's ordered way of life which is in faith;

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

Which may be seen in the good news of the glory of the great God, which was given into my care.

Though I had said violent words against God, and done cruel acts, causing great trouble: but I was given mercy, because I did it without knowledge, not having faith;

Now to the King eternal, ever-living, unseen, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. So be it.

This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight,

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

For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour.

This is good and pleasing in the eyes of God our Saviour;

For there is one God and one peacemaker between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

And that women may be dressed in simple clothing, with a quiet and serious air; not with twisted hair and gold or jewels or robes of great price;

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

In my opinion it is right for a woman not to be a teacher, or to have rule over a man, but to be quiet.

This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.

The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher;

(For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)

And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.

For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.

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 keep men from being married and from taking food which God made to be taken with praise by those who have faith and true knowledge.

Because everything which God has made is good, and nothing is evil, if it is taken with praise:

For it is made holy by the word of God and by prayer.

If you keep these things before the minds of the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the right teaching which has been your guide:

And this is the purpose of all our work and our fighting, because our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and specially of those who have faith.

Give attention to yourself and your teaching. Go on in these things; for in doing so you will get salvation for yourself and for those who give hearing to you.

But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.

And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.

Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

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.

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.

In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.

Let all who are servants under the yoke give all honour to their masters, so that no evil may be said against the name of God and his teaching.

And let those whose masters are of the faith have respect for them because they are brothers, working for them the more readily, because those who take part in the good work are of the faith and are dear. Give orders and teaching about these things.

But you, O man of God, keep yourself from these things, and go after righteousness, religion, faith, love, a quiet mind, gentle behaviour.

Be fighting the good fight of the faith; take for yourself the life eternal, for which you were marked out, and of which you gave witness in the eyes of all.

I give you orders before God, the giver of life, and Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate gave witness to the faith,

Give orders to those who have money and goods in this life, not to be lifted up in their minds, or to put their hope in the uncertain chances of wealth, but in God who gives us in full measure all things for our use;

And to do good, having wealth in good works, being quick to give, taking part with one another;

O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;