As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, that cause questions rather than the building up of God that is in faith: --

For the end of the commandment is love that cometh of a pure heart and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

And it is because they have not aimed at these things that the attention of certain people has been diverted to unprofitable subjects.

desiring to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they say nor that which they affirm.

But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,

as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers,

and whoremongers; to them that defile themselves with mankind; to menstealers; to liars and to perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome doctrine

that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.

and the grace of our Lord overflowed toward me, along with the faith and love that are in the Messiah Jesus.

The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.

This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;

keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. For some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined,

of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all men:

for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.

For that is good and accepted in the sight of god our saviour,

Whose desire is that all men may have salvation and come to the knowledge of what is true.

which gave himself a ransom for all men, that it should be testified at his time;

It was for this testimony that I myself was appointed a herald and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), to be a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.

In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

but with such as becometh women that profess the worshipping of God through good works.

for Adam was the first that was form'd, then Eve.

He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable.

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

and one that ruleth his own house honestly, having children under obedience, with all honesty.

Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.

And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.

It is needful that deacons, in like manner, be grave, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of base gain;

They should first be tested, and after that, if they are found irreproachable, let them serve as deacons.

It is needful that their wives, in like manner, be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

For they that minister well, get themselves good degree, and great liberty in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you

but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

And without nay, great is that mystery of godliness. God was showed in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, was seen of angels, was preached unto the gentiles, was believed on in earth and received up in glory.

But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

forbidding to marry -- to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth,

For everything that God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if only it is received with thankfulness.

If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of the Messiah Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely.

For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance.

For therefore we labour and suffer rebuke, because we believe in the living God, which is the saviour of all men: but specially of those that believe.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be unto them that believe, an example: in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith and in pureness.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.

Take heed unto thyself and unto learning, and continue therein. For if thou shalt so do, thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

She that is a very widow, and friendless, putteth her trust in God, and continueth in supplication and prayer night and day:

but she that liveth in pleasure, is dead even yet alive.

Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

If there be any that provideth not for his own, and namely for them of his household, the same denieth the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

bringing attestation of her good works; that she hath well educated her children, that she hath been hospitable to strangers, that she hath washed the saints feet, that she hath assisted the afflicted, that she hath followed diligently every good work.

Having, as sentence, - that, their first faith, they have set at nought;

And at the same time also, going around from house to house, they learn [to be] idle, and not only idle, but also gossipy and busybodies, saying the things [that are] not necessary.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.

If any woman who believes has widows, let her assist them, and do not let the church be burdened; that it might help those widows who are truly in need.

The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, most specially they which labour in the word and in teaching.

For the scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." And, "the laborer is worthy of his reward."

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone's sins].

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

See that they which have believing masters despise them not because they are brethren: but so much the rather do service, forasmuch as they are believing and beloved and partakers of the benefits. These things teach and exhort.

If anyone teaches different doctrines and refuses to agree with the wholesome messages of our Lord Jesus Christ, the teaching that is in accordance with true religion,

that person is conceited. He does not understand anything, but has an unhealthy concern for controversy and arguments over words, which produce envy, dissension, abusive language, evil suspicions,

constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath.

For we brought nothing into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry nothing out.

But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

They that will be rich, fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction.

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.

But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.

I conjure thee in the presence of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who witnessed that noble confession before Pontius Pilate;

that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

which appearing, when the time is come, he shall show that is blessed and mighty only, King of Kings, and Lord of lords,

which only hath immortality, and dwelleth in light that no man can attain, whom never man saw, neither can see: unto whom be honour and rule everlasting. Amen.

Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of that which is truly life.

Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

Certain individuals have failed in the faith by professing that. Grace be with you. [Amen.]