For even when we were with you we commanded you this, that if any man will not work, neither let him eat.

But we are informed that some among you are living as shirkers, mere busybodies, instead of busy at work.

Now to such men we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that, working with quietness, they should eat their own bread.

If anyone refuses to obey what we have said in this letter, mark that person and stop having anything to do with him, so that he will feel ashamed of it.

I, Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the distinguishing mark in every letter [of mine, that shows it is genuine]. It is the way I write [my handwriting and signature].

As I urged thee, while going to Macedonia, remain in Ephesis, so that thou might command certain men not to teach something different,

Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies, - the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith; -

But the aim of your instruction is to be love that flows out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

And it is because they have not aimed at these things that the attention of certain people has been diverted to unprofitable subjects.

desiring to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they say nor that which they affirm.

Indeed, I know that the law is an excellent thing, if a man makes a lawful use of it;

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,

based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

And I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has thus enabled me, that he accounted me faithful, and appointed me to his service,

one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord overflowed with faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.

It is a saying to be trusted and deserves our fullest acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and I am the foremost of them.

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.

This is the instruction which I entrust to you, my son Timothy, which is in accordance with the prophetic utterances formerly made about you, that you may, aided by them, continue to fight the good fight,

keeping your faith [leaning completely on God with absolute trust and confidence in His guidance] and having a good conscience; for some [people] have rejected [their moral compass] and have made a shipwreck of their faith.

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

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties, prayers, and thanksgiving be offered for all men,

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

For that is good and accepted in the sight of god our saviour,

whose will it is that all men should be saved, and come into full knowledge of the truth.

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

It was for this testimony that I myself was appointed a herald and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), to be a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

My wish, then, is that in every place the men should offer prayer, lifting up holy hands, free from anger and disputation;

I want the women, on their part, to dress becomingly, that is, modestly and sensibly, not adorning themselves with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive dresses,

but with good works, as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God.

for Adam was the first that was form'd, then Eve.

He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable.

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.

And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.

It is needful that deacons, in like manner, be grave, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of base gain;

They should first be tested, and after that, if they are found irreproachable, let them serve as deacons.

It is needful that their wives, in like manner, be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

For, they who have ministered well, a good degree for themselves, are acquiring, and great freedom of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you

so that, if I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

And without nay, great is that mystery of godliness. God was showed in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, was seen of angels, was preached unto the gentiles, was believed on in earth and received up in glory.

Now the Spirit distinctly declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, because they continuously give their attention to deceiving spirits and the things that demons teach

through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

Because every creation of God is good, and nothing rejected that is received with thankfulness,

Laying these things down to the brothers, thou will be a good helper of Jesus Christ, reared up in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine that thou have followed.

For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life, and of that which is coming.

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you.

Continue cultivating these things; be devoted to them, so that everybody will see your progress.

Be giving heed to thyself, and to thy teaching, - abide still in them; for, this doing, both, thyself, shalt thou save, and them that hearken to thee.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Whereas, she that runneth riot, while living, is, dead:

Continue to give these directions so that the people may be without reproach.

he that takes no care of his relations, especially those of his own family, has renounc'd the faith and is worse than an infidel.

and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

Having, as sentence, - that, their first faith, they have set at nought;

And also at the same time they learn to be idle, roving the houses, and not only idle, but also babbling and meddlesome, speaking things that they ought not.

So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,

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.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

For the scripture says thou shall not muzzle an ox that is threshing. And the workman is worthy of his wage.

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

I solemnly testify before God, and Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen agents, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing from partiality.

Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone's sins].

In the same way, the noble works also, are openly evident, - and, they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.

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 anyone teaches different doctrines and refuses to agree with the wholesome messages of our Lord Jesus Christ, the teaching that is in accordance with true religion,

that person is conceited. He does not understand anything, but has an unhealthy concern for controversy and arguments over words, which produce envy, dissension, abusive language, evil suspicions,

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

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].

for we brought nothing into the world. It is clear that neither can we carry anything out,

But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough.

But those who [are not financially ethical and] crave to get rich [with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth] fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction [leading to personal misery].

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.

But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

exert yourself in the glorious cause of faith, and secure the prize of eternal life, to which you were called, when you made that excellent profession of faith before so many witnesses.

I conjure thee in the presence of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who witnessed that noble confession before Pontius Pilate;

that thou keep the commandment, without spot, blameless, until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

For in his own good time this will be brought about by that blessed and only potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords,

who alone possesses immortality, who dwells in light that none can approach, whom no man has ever seen or can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

in this way amassing for themselves the riches that forever endure in the life to come, so that at last they may grasp the life that is life indeed.

O Timothy, take good care of that which is given to you, turning away from the wrong and foolish talk and arguments of that knowledge which is falsely so named;

Certain individuals have failed in the faith by professing that. Grace be with you. [Amen.]

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in accordance with the promise of the life that comes through union with Christ Jesus,

Grateful, am I, unto God, - unto whom I am rendering divine service from my progenitors in a pure conscience, that, incessant, hold I the remembrance, concerning thee, in my supplications; day and night,

to see you again, that I may feel the fullest joy

on being reminded of your genuine faith, a faith that first found a home in the heart of your grandmother Lois, then in the heart of your mother Eunice, and now in yours too, I am sure.

Because of which reason I remind thee to rekindle the gift of God that is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

For the Spirit that God has given us does not impart timidity but power and love and self-control.