that is, if he understands that the Law is not intended for righteous people but for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for those who are unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people,

for those involved in sexual immorality, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for false witnesses, and for whatever else goes against the healthy teaching

I am the worst of them. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner, the Messiah Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life.

First of all, then, I urge you to offer to God petitions, prayers, intercessions, and expressions of thanks for all people,

for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity.

He gave himself as a ransom for everyone, the testimony at the proper time.

For this reason I was appointed to be an announcer, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the gentiles. (I am telling you the truth. I am not lying.)

Women, for their part, should display their beauty by dressing modestly and decently in appropriate clothes, not with elaborate hairstyles or by wearing gold, pearls, or expensive clothes,

but through good actions. This is proper for women who claim to revere God.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve,

For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?

He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn't fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by the Devil.

Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money.

Those ministers who serve well gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance by their faith in the Messiah Jesus.

For everything God created is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.

Honor widows who have no other family members to care for them.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing in God's sight.

A woman who has no other family members to care for her and who is left all alone has placed her hope in God and devotes herself to petitions and prayers night and day.

She must be well known for her good actions as a woman who has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the saints' feet, helped the suffering, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

But do not include younger widows on your list. For whenever their natural desires cause them to lose their devotion to the Messiah, they want to remarry.

For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.

If any woman is a believer and has relatives who are widows, she should help them. The church should not be burdened, so it can help those widows who have no other family members to care for them.

For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain," and, "A worker deserves his pay."

As for those who keep on sinning, rebuke them in front of everyone so that the rest will also be afraid.

Stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach because of your frequent illnesses.

he is a conceited person and does not understand anything. He has an unhealthy craving for arguments and debates. This produces jealousy, rivalry, slander, evil suspicions,

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and caused themselves a lot of pain.

Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep holding on to eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses.

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.

By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can keep their hold on the life that is real.