I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

I give you this command, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies once made about you, that by them you may fight the good fight,

who gave himself as a ransom for allthe testimony given at the proper time.

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you through prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that all may see your progress.

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their homes, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach.

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession before Pontius Pilate,