As I besought thee to abide still in Ephesus when I departed into Macedonia; even so, do: that thou command some that they teach no other wise,

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.

desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

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,

of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

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 she will be delivered through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with good judgment.

Ministers, too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced, addicted to wine, or greedy for money.

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

Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless.

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 that minister well, get themselves good degree, and great liberty in the faith, which 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 will try to stop people from marrying and from eating certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving 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.

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

But refuse younger widows, for whenever their passions lead them away from Christ, they desire to marry;

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

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].

The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, most specially they which labour in the word and in teaching.

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Likewise, also, good works are manifest beforehand, and they that are otherwise, 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.

and incessant conflict between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth. They think that godliness is a way to make a profit.

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

They that will be rich, fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction.

For covetousness is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after, they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows.

Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

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

laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of that which is truly life.

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.}