Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul's day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

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.

Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself; but entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as brothers;

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.

Whoever fails to provide for his own relatives, and especially for those of his immediate family, has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow, to be placed upon the list, must be not less than sixty years old, and one who has been the wife of but one husband.

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.

For He saved us and called us with a holy call, not in accordance with anything that we had done, but in accordance with His own purpose and unmerited favor which was shown us through union with Christ Jesus eternal ages ago,

but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Of the gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher; and that is the reason I am now undergoing these sufferings.

This is why I am suffering so, but I am not ashamed of it, for I know whom I have trusted and I am absolutely sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Continue to be an example in wholesome instructions which you learned from me, in the faith and love that come through union with Christ Jesus.

Guard the good consignment through the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

You know that everyone here who belongs to the Roman province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

The Lord grant mercy unto the house, of Onesiphorus, in that, ofttimes, hath he refreshed me, and, as regardeth my chain, hath not been put to shame,

The Lord grant that he may find mercy at His hands on that day. And you very well know yourself how great were the services he rendered me at Ephesus.

So you, my son, must keep renewing your strength in the spiritual blessing that comes through union with Christ Jesus.

And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.

No soldier ever allows himself to be involved in the business affairs of life, so that he may please the officer who enlisted him.

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Consider what I say, for I pray that the Lord may give you understanding in all things.

Continue to remember Jesus Christ as risen from the dead, and descended from David, in accordance with the good news that I preach,

for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or imprisoned!

For this reason I am bearing anything for the sake of His chosen people, so that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

it is an undoubted truth, that if we die for him, we shall live with him:

If we endure, we will also reign together. If we renounce him, that man will also renounce us.

If we are unfaithful, that man remains faithful. He cannot renounce himself.

Of these things, be putting them in remembrance, adjuring them before God not to be waging word-battles, - useful, for nothing, occasioning a subversion of them that hearken.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Avoid all that profane jargon, for it leads people still further into irreligion,

and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.

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

Howbeit, the firm foundation of God, standeth, having this seal - The Lord hath acknowledged them who are his, and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord stand aloof from unrighteousness.

he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Always avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, for you know that they breed quarrels,

With gentleness he must correct his opponents, for God might grant them repentance that would lead them to a full knowledge of the truth,

And they should wake up to sobriety out of, the adversary's, snare, - though they have been taken alive by him for, that one's, 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,

treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure more than God,

For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,