It was my desire, when I went on into Macedonia, that you might make a stop at Ephesus, to give orders to certain men not to put forward a different teaching,

We are conscious that the law is good, if a man makes a right use of it,

With the knowledge that the law is made, not for the upright man, but for those who have no respect for law and order, for evil men and sinners, for the unholy and those who have no religion, for those who put their fathers or mothers to death, for takers of life,

It is a true saying, in which all may put their faith, that Christ Jesus came into the world to give salvation to sinners, of whom I am the chief:

But for this reason I was given mercy, so that in me, the chief of sinners, Jesus Christ might make clear all his mercy, as an example to those who in the future would have faith in him to eternal life.

This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight,

Such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given up to Satan, so that they may say no more evil words against God.

My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men;

For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour.

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

It is my desire, then, that in every place men may give themselves to prayer, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or argument.

And that women may be dressed in simple clothing, with a quiet and serious air; not with twisted hair and gold or jewels or robes of great price;

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.

But the Spirit says clearly that in later times some will be turned away from the faith, giving their minds to spirits of deceit, and the teachings of evil spirits,

For the training of the body is of profit for a little, but religion is of profit in every way, giving hope for the life which now is, and for that which is to come.

Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you.

Have a care for these things; give yourself to them with all your heart, so that all may see how you go forward.

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.

Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.

So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,

If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.

Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.

Let all who are servants under the yoke give all honour to their masters, so that no evil may be said against the name of God and his teaching.

But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough.

Making ready for themselves a safe place for the time to come, so that the true life may be theirs.

O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;