As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I make the same request now.

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

They want to be teachers of the law, although they do not understand the words they use or the things about which they make such confident assertions.

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,

having faith and a good conscience, which some, [because they] have rejected [these], have suffered shipwreck concerning their 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.

Now I want the men to offer prayer at any meeting of the church; and let the hands they lift to heaven be holy ??they must be free from anger and dissension.

Likewise also the women, that they array themselves in comely apparel with shamefastness, and discreet behavior, not with broided hair, other gold, or pearls, or costly array:

but with good works, as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God.

I do not allow women to teach or to domineer over men; they must keep quiet.

But women will be saved through motherhood, if they continue to live in faith, love, and purity, blended with good sense.

Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,

but they must continue to hold the open secret of faith with a clear conscience.

They, too, should first be tested till approved, and then, if they are found above reproach, they should serve as deacons.

The deaconesses too must be serious, not gossips; they must be temperate and perfectly trustworthy.

Deacons are only to be married once, and they must manage their children and households properly.

For, they who have ministered well, a good degree for themselves, are acquiring, and great freedom of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

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

They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in the treatment of their own families, and to pay the debt they owe their parents or grandparents, for this is acceptable to God.

And command these things, so that they may be blameless.

Keep the young widows off this roll, for when they get to indulging their lower nature in opposition to Christ, they want to marry,

which has condemnation because they have disregarded the original pledge.

Besides, as they get the habit of gadding about from house to house, they learn to be idle, and not only idle but gossips and busybodies, talking of things they ought not to mention.

Therefore, I want the younger widows to get married, have children and manage their homes, so that they do not give the enemy [i.e., non-Christians] an opportunity for speaking against [the church].

Elders who do their duties well should be considered as deserving twice the salary they get especially those who keep on toiling in preaching and teaching.

The sins of some men are evident, leading to judgment, but also for some they follow after.

Good deeds, too, are usually very evident, and if they are not, they cannot be completely concealed.

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.

[and] continual wranglings between people with corrupt minds, who are deprived of the truth. They think that [professing] godliness is a way to obtain [financial] gain.

we ought to think that sufficient. but they who will be rich, expose

But, they who are determined to be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful covetings, the which, sink men into ruin and destruction, -

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

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

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.

Timothy, guard what has been intrusted to you. Keep away from the worldly, empty phrases and contradictions of what they falsely call knowledge,

which science, while some professed, they have erred as concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. {The end of the First Epistle unto Timothy, Sent from Laodicea, which is the Chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.}