They want to be teachers of the law, although they do not understand the words they use or the things about which they make such confident assertions.

that is, if he understands that law is not enacted for upright people but for the lawless and disorderly, the godless and sinful, the ignorant and profane, people who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,

and for which purpose I was appointed a preacher and an apostle -- I am telling the truth, I am not lying, -- a teacher of the heathen in the realm of faith and truth.

I want the women, on their part, to dress becomingly, that is, modestly and sensibly, not adorning themselves with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive dresses,

I do not permit a married woman to practice teaching or domineering over a husband; she must keep quiet.

and it was not Adam who was deceived, but it was the woman who was utterly deceived and fell into transgression.

not addicted to strong drink, not pugnacious, gentle and not contentious, not avaricious,

(if a man does not know how to manage his own house, how can he take care of a church of God?).

He must not be a new convert, or else becoming conceited he may incur the doom the devil met.

Deacons, too, must be serious, sincere in their talk, not addicted to strong drink or dishonest gain,

The deaconesses too must be serious, not gossips; they must be temperate and perfectly trustworthy.

But a woman who is really a widow and lives alone has fixed her hope on God, and night and day devotes herself to prayers and entreaties,

Besides, as they get the habit of gadding about from house to house, they learn to be idle, and not only idle but gossips and busybodies, talking of things they ought not to mention.

So I would have the younger women marry, have children, and keep house, so as not to give our opponents any occasion for slander.

For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain," and, "The workman deserves his pay."

Make it a rule not to consider a charge preferred against an elder, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

Make it a rule not to ordain anyone in haste, and not to be responsible for the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Good deeds, too, are usually very evident, and if they are not, they cannot be completely concealed.

All who are under the yoke of slavery must esteem their masters to be deserving the highest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be abused.

Those who have Christian masters must not pay them less respect because they are brothers; they must serve them all the better, because those who get the benefit of their service are believers and so are dear to them. These are the things that you must continue to teach and urge them to do.

Continue charging the rich of this world to stop being haughty and not to fix their hope on a thing so uncertain as riches, but on God who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment;