and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These things promote controversies rather than God's ongoing purpose, which involves faith.

Some people have stepped aside from these things and turned to fruitless talking.

This charge then, I am laying upon you, Timothy, my son, according to the predictions formerly made concerning you. Fight the good fight in the spirit of these predictions,

Keeping faith, and being conscious of well-doing; for some, by not doing these things, have gone wrong in relation to the faith:

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

And let these be proved first,

And let these first be put to the test; then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.

These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly;

speaking lies in hypocrisy. These are men whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron,

and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the Faith and have attained a full knowledge of the Truth.

If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

Ever reject these profane and old womanish myths; and continually train yourself for the contest of godliness.

Command and teach these things.

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

Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grand children, let these learn first to shew piety at home,

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.

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

If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters].

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.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest; and having these otherwise, it cannot be hid.

Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

These things teach and exhort. If any one teach otherwise, and adhere not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness;

he is puffed up with conceit and knows nothing, but is doting about disputations and a strife of words. These give rise to envy, quarrels, railings, evil suspicions,

and incessant wrangling on the part of these corrupt-minded people who have lost all hold on the Truth, and who think of religion only as a source of gain.

but having food and raiment -- with these we shall suffice ourselves;

But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

to keep these commands stainlessly and blamelessly until the appearance of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.