but God had mercy on me in order that in my case as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display his perfect patience, as an example to those who would later believe in him and find 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,

Do not listen to an accusation made against an elder, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

Enter the great contest of faith! Take hold of eternal life, to which God called you, when before many witnesses you made the great profession of faith.

Before God who maintains all life, and before Christ Jesus who in testifying before Pontius Pilate made his great profession, I charge you

through professing which some people have made a failure of the faith. God bless you all.