The aim of your instruction must be love that springs from a pure heart and from a good conscience and from a sincere faith.

I agree that the Law is excellent??rovided it is legitimately used,

with the understanding that law is not intended for upright men but for the lawless and disorderly, the godless and irreligious, the irreverent and profane, men who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,

and the blessing of our Lord has been given me in the greatest abundance, together with faith and love that union with Christ Jesus brings.

It is a trustworthy saying, entitled to the fullest acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of them,

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,

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

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for all men,

for emperors and all who are in authority, so that we may live tranquil, quiet lives, with perfect piety and probity.

I want the men everywhere to offer prayer, lifting to heaven hands that are holy, without any angry disputes.

so that if I am delayed, you may know how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God, for it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The Spirit distinctly says that in later times some will turn away from the faith, and devote their attention to deceitful spirits and the things that demons teach

who forbid people to marry and insist on abstinence from certain kinds of food that God created for men who believe and understand the truth to enjoy and give thanks for.

It is for this that we toil and struggle, for we have fixed our hopes on the living God, the Savior of all men, especially those who believe.

Do not neglect the gift you have, that was given you with predictions of your work, when the elders laid their hands upon you.

Cultivate these things, devote yourself to them, so that everyone will see your progress.

If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety in the treatment of their own families, and to return the care of those who brought them up, for that is what God approves.

Insist upon these points, so that people may be irreproachable.

Any Christian woman who has widowed relatives should look after them, and relieve the church, so that it can look after widows who are really dependent.

All who are under the yoke of slavery must treat their masters with the greatest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be abused.

But men who want to get rich fall into temptations and snares and many foolish, harmful cravings, that plunge people into destruction and ruin.

storing up a valuable treasure for themselves for the future, so as to grasp the life that is life indeed.