Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope;

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,

I am always thanking Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength for it, for thinking me trustworthy and putting me into the ministry,

the man who was formerly blasphemous, and a persecutor, and an aggressor. But I obtained mercy because I did it being ignorant in unbelief.

Faithful is the saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinful men, of whom I am foremost.

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.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

I transmit these instructions to you, Timotheus my son, in accordance with what the prophets said who first directed me to you; fight the good fight on these lines,

holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust from them, as it respects faith have made shipwreck; of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

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

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

who is ever willing for all mankind to be saved and to come to an increasing knowledge of the truth.

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

but with good deeds; for this is appropriate for women who profess to be pious.

It was Adam who was first formed, then Eve.

and it was not Adam who was deceived, but it was the woman who was utterly deceived and fell into transgression.

This is a trustworthy saying: The one who would an elder be, a noble task desires he.

not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means; but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

a man who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all propriety

It is needful, moreover, to have, an honourable testimony also, from them who are without, lest, into reproach, he fall, and the snare of the adversary.

but men who hold the deep truths of the Faith and have a clear conscience.

Let deacons be the husband of but one wife, men who rule their children and their household properly.

For those who render good service win a good standing for themselves in their faith in Christ Jesus.

And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.

Now the Spirit distinctly declares that in latter days there will be some who will fall away from the faith, by listening to spirits of error, and to teachings of demons

by the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience,

who forbid people to marry and teach them to abstain from certain sorts of food which God created for the grateful enjoyment of those who have faith and a clear knowledge of the truth.

To this end we are toiling and struggling, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers.

Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set those who believe an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Make it your habit to pay close attention to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things, for if you do you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:

Always care for widows who are really dependent.

If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety in the treatment of their own families, and to return the care of those who brought them up, for that is what God approves.

But a woman who is really a widow and lives alone has fixed her hope on God, and night and day devotes herself to prayers and entreaties,

while a widow who gives herself up to luxury is really dead though still alive.

If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.

Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,

being testified in good works: if she has reared children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the sanctified, if she has relieved those who are afflicted, if she has followed every good work.

Thus, they bring the judgment [for being untrustworthy] on themselves because they have broken their previous pledge. [Note: This probably refers to younger widows who pledged themselves to fulfill some important church activity and then quit suddenly to get married. But some suggest it refers to them leaving the faith and marrying a non-Christian].

I desire therefore the younger women to marry, to bear children, to manage house, to give not one occasion to him who opposes on account of slander.

There are some who have already left us, to follow Satan.

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.

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.

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

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and those who are otherwise cannot be hidden.

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.

Anyone who teaches different views and does not agree with the wholesome instruction which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, and with religious teaching

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

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

But men who keep planning to get rich fall into temptations and snares and many foolish, hurtful desires which plunge people into destruction and ruin.

For, loving money is a source of all kinds of evil, [and] some people who crave it have been led astray from the faith, and have stabbed themselves [in the heart] with many sorrows.

Before God who preserves the life of all His creatures and before Christ Jesus who in testifying before Pontius Pilate made His good profession, I solemnly charge you

which he will show in his own times, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of those who are kings, and Lord of those who are lords,

who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Continue charging the rich of this world to stop being haughty and not to fix their hope on a thing so uncertain as riches, but on God who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment;

Through which some, who gave their minds to it, have been turned away from the faith. Grace be with you.