An elder must be blameless. He must be the husband of one wife and have children who are believers and who are not accused of having wild lifestyles or of being rebellious.

For there are many people who are rebellious, especially those who are converts from Judaism. They speak utter nonsense and deceive people.

They must be silenced, because they are the kind of people who ruin whole families by teaching what they should not teach in order to make money in a shameful way.

Everything is clean to those who are clean, but nothing is clean to those who are corrupt and unbelieving. Indeed, their very way of thinking and their consciences have been corrupted.

They claim to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified to do anything good.

Older men are to be sober, serious, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.

Likewise, older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of goodness.

Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, aiming to please them and not argue with them

or steal from them. Instead, they are to show complete and perfect loyalty, so that in every way they may make the teaching about God our Savior more attractive.

He gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds.

These are the things you should teach. Encourage and refute with full authority. Do not let anyone look down on you.

They are not to insult anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and perfectly courteous to everyone.

This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people.

But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless.

All who are with me send you greetings. Greet our fellow believers who love us. May grace be with all of you! Amen.