See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Brethren, pray for us.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.

For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.

To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,

nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;

not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,

For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;

for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;

for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;

but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me—

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

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 trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,

But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,

For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,

They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.