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

Well, my very first counsel is that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving, are to be offered for all men ??2 for kings and all in authority, that we may lead a tranquil life in all piety and gravity;

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

for such offices are commendable, and agreeable to God our saviour,

So I want the men everywhere to offer prayer, lifting to heaven holy hands which are kept unstained by anger and dissensions.

Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel,

But clothed with good works, as is right for women who are living in the fear of God.

Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm.

He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way.

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.

Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world;

They, too, should first be tested till approved, and then, if they are found above reproach, they should serve as deacons.

Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.

Deacons are only to be married once, and they must manage their children and households properly.

For those who have well discharged the duties of a deacon are gaining an honorable position for themselves, as well as much fearless confidence in the faith of Christ Jesus.

so that if I am delayed, you may know how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God, for it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Yes, and confessedly wonderful are the deep truths of our religion; for-- 'He was revealed in our nature, pronounced righteous in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.'

Through the false ways of men whose words are untrue, whose hearts are burned as with a heated iron;

forbidding to marry, bidding to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth.

For all the creatures of God are good: and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

If you warn the brethren of these dangers you will be a good and faithful servant of Christ Jesus, inwardly feeding on the lessons of the faith and of the sound teaching of which you have been, and are, so close a follower.

exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.

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.

These are the things you must insist on and teach.

Let no one think little of you because you are young, but always set an example for believers, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Do not be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed, which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when the hands of the elders were placed upon you.

Always care for widows who are really dependent.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

As for the woman who is really widowed and left quite alone, her hopes are fixed on God, and she devotes herself to prayers and supplications night and day.

Those are the points on which you should dwell, that there may be no call for your censure.

A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having 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.

But refuse younger widows, for when they are sexually aroused, they desire of the Christ to marry,

And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;

Moreover, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and are not only idlers, but gossips also, and busybodies, repeating things they ought not.

For even now some are turned away to 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.

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says, "You are not to muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain;" and the workman deserves his pay.

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

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

Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.

Some men's sins are very evident and clearly lead them on to judgment, but the sins of others lag behind.

Good deeds, too, are usually very evident, and if they are not, they cannot be completely concealed.

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.

If any man teach another doctrine, and attend not to the sound words, which are those of Jesus Christ our Lord, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

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

For we came into the world with nothing, and we are not able to take anything out;

With food to eat and clothes to wear; content we are in everything.

But those who have a desire for wealth are falling into danger, and are taken as in a net by a number of foolish and damaging desires, through which men are overtaken by death and destruction.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life for which thou are called, and confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

Since you are in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and in the presence of the Messiah Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 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,

Upon them who are rich in the present age, lay thou charge - not to be high-minded, nor to have set their hope on, riches', uncertainty, - but on God, who offereth us all things richly for enjoying,

They are to do good, to be rich in good actions, to be generous, and to share.

for there are those who, while asserting their proficiency in it, have yet, as regards the Faith, gone altogether astray. God bless you all.

be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,

An outline, have thou, of healthful discourses which from me thou hast heard - with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus:

This thou know, that all those in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

and what you heard me deliver in the presence of many, intrust to such persons of integrity as are qualified to instruct others

Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

It is a faithful saying: For if we are dead with him, we shall also live with him:

if we are patient, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot prove false to Himself."

Remind others about these things, and warn them before God not to argue over words. Arguing does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening.

Do your best to present yourself as a worker who is approved by God [and] does not have to be ashamed, [because you are] accurately handling [i.e., explaining] the message of truth.

and their word will have a feeding field like gangrene, of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

who have missed the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place, are undermining some people's faith.

Nevertheless the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, Lord knows those who are his, and, Let every man who names the name of Lord keep away from unrighteousness.

In any great house there are not only gold and silver articles but also wooden utensils, some for honorable uses and some for lowly uses.

But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.

And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.

correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, [seeing] whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,

and they may come to their senses again, and escape the snare of the devil, as they are restored to life by God to do his will.

Now you must know that in the last days there are going to be hard times.

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

For some of them practice going into people's houses and capturing weak and silly women who are overwhelmed with the weight of their sins, who are easily led about by all sorts of evil impulses,

who are always trying to learn but never able to come to a full knowledge of the truth.

Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, these people resist the truth, for they are depraved in mind and so counterfeits in the faith.

As for me, you are perfectly acquainted with my doctrine, my conduct, my designs, my temper, my benevolence, my constancy,

Yea and, all who are determined to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted;

But the evil men and deceivers, shall wax worse and worse, while they deceive, and are deceived themselves.

But see that you keep to the teaching you have been given and the things of which you are certain, conscious of who has been your teacher;

And that from a babe thou have known the sacred writings, which are able to make thee wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue;

In the presence of God and the Messiah Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you

preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.

For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but to gratify their own evil desires will surround themselves with teachers who teach to gratify their own evil desires, because their ears are itching so to be tickled,

which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.

The last drops of my own sacrifice are falling; my time to go has come.

I left you in Crete for this express purpose, to set in order the things that are lacking, and to appoint elders in each town, as I directed you --

men who are blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children who are not accused of riot or insubordination.

For there are many insubordinate people, mere talkers with nothing to say, but deceivers of their own minds, especially those of the circumcision party,

By whom some families have been completely overturned; who take money for teaching things which are not right; these will have to be stopped.

One of them, a prophet of their own countrymen, has said, "Cretans are always liars, wicked brutes, lazy bellies."

Not giving heed to Judaical stories and commandments of men who are turning away from the truth:

To the pure everything is pure, but to the impure and unbelieving nothing is pure, but their very minds and consciences are impure.