to Timothy my sincere convert, favour, mercy and peace from God our father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.

At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

with the salutary doctrine of the gospel of immortality, which the blessed God committed to my trust.

I offer thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord, who qualified me for the ministry he has plac'd me in, for having appointed me to such a trust,

but the favour of our Lord display'd itself by that faith and charity, which was wrought in me by Jesus Christ.

however I obtained mercy, that Jesus Christ might demonstrate the greatness of his clemency, by making me an eminent instance of it to those who should hereafter believe in him, in order to eternal life.

This charge, my son Timothy, I recommend to you, agreeably to the prophetic gifts heretofore conferr'd on you, by virtue of which you might carry on a successful warfare,

Hymeneus and Alexander are of that number, whom I have deliver'd to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in the practice of all piety and virtue;

however the women may be saved by educating their children, and persevering themselves in faith, in charity, in holiness and chastity. this may be depended upon as true.

for they who duly discharge that office, prepare their way to a higher degree, and may promote the christian faith with the greater freedom.

you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, that is, in the church of the true God.

meditate upon these things, be wholly employ'd about them, that your proficiency may appear to all.

these things recommend to them, that they may be without reproach.

If any convert has widow-relations, let such relieve them, that the church may not be charged, but with the relief of such as are entirely destitute.

Let those who are in a state of servitude, consider the entire respect due to their masters, that the name of God, and the doctrine of the gospel may not be blasphemed.