But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond reproach.

But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry,

Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.

-- whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time.

In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.