But the aim of your instruction is to be love that flows out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Indeed, I know that the law is an excellent thing, if a man makes a lawful use of it;

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,

the immoral, men who practice sodomy, men who make other men their slaves, liars, perjurers, or anything else that is contrary to sound teaching,

It is a saying to be trusted and deserves our fullest acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and I am the foremost of them.

Yet, mercy was shown me for the very purpose that in my case as the foremost of sinners Jesus might display His perfect patience, to make me an example to those who in the future might believe on Him to obtain eternal life.

This is the instruction which I entrust to you, my son Timothy, which is in accordance with the prophetic utterances formerly made about you, that you may, aided by them, continue to fight the good fight,

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan to be so disciplined that they will stop their abusive speech.

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

for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead peaceful, quiet lives in perfect piety and seriousness.

who gave Himself as a ransom for all, a fact that was testified to at the proper time,

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,

so that, if I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Now the Spirit distinctly declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, because they continuously give their attention to deceiving spirits and the things that demons teach

Continue cultivating these things; be devoted to them, so that everybody will see your progress.

Continue to give these directions so that the people may be without reproach.

If a Christian woman has widowed relatives, she should help them, and let the church be free from the burden, so that it can help the widows who are really dependent.

Those who are guilty reprove in public, so that others may be warned.

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.

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,

and perpetual friction between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth, who imagine that religion is only a means of gain.

in this way amassing for themselves the riches that forever endure in the life to come, so that at last they may grasp the life that is life indeed.