As I begged you to do when I was on my way to Macedonia, I still beg you to stay on in Ephesus to warn certain teachers

Stop neglecting the gift you received, which was given you through prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you.

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

For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain," and, "The workman deserves his pay."

Keep up the good fight for the faith. Keep your hold on eternal life, to which God called you, when before many witnesses you made the good profession of faith.