Take care that none of you ever pays back evil for evil, but always keep looking for ways to show kindness to one another and everybody.

but continue to prove all things until you can approve them, and then hold on to what is good.

But, the God of peace himself, hallow you completely, and, entire, might your spirit, and soul, and body, - so as to be unblameable in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, - be preserved!

We are oblig'd, my brethren, to render thanks to God continually upon your account, as it is but just; since your faith still improves, and your mutual love is always increasing.

They are proof positive of God's equity; you are suffering for the realm of God, and he means to make you worthy of it ??6 since God considers it but just to repay with trouble those who trouble you,

But we request you, brethren, - in behalf of the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him,

[But] for now, there is something holding him back [i.e., holding back the man of lawlessness from emerging, See verses 3-4], and you people know what it is. [It is restraining him] so that he will not be revealed until his own [due] time.

For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but only until he who is holding it back has been gotten out of the way.

Then will 'Wickedness Incarnate' appear, but the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his lips, and annihilate him by the splendor of his Coming.

and by unlimited seduction to evil and with all the deception of wickedness for those who are perishing, because they did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them].

so that all who have refused to believe the truth but have chosen unrighteousness instead might be condemned.

But we are indebted to express thanks to God always about you, brothers, beloved by Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation, in sanctification of spirit and belief of truth,

But may, our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father, - Who hath loved you, and given you age-abiding consolation and good hope by favour,

But the Lord is to be trusted, and He will give you strength and guard you from the evil one.

But we trust in the Lord as to you, that the things which we enjoin, ye both do and will do.

But may, the Lord, guide your hearts into the love of God, and into the endurance of the Christ.

But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [that] you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us.

I did not eat any man's bread without paying for it, but with toil and hard labor I worked night and day, in order not to be a burden to any of you.

Not that I have no right to be supported, but to make myself an example for you to follow.

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

but we command such and exhort them in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietude working, they must eat their own bread.

But you, brothers, must never grow tired of doing right.

Now if anyone [in the church] does not obey what we say in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be ashamed and repent.

You must not regard him as an enemy but warn him as a brother.

But may, the Lord of peace himself, give you peace, always, in every way. The Lord, be with you all.

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

Some individuals have wandered away from these things into empty arguments and useless discussions,

wanting to be teachers of the Law [of Moses], even though they do not understand the terms they use or the subjects about which they make [such] confident declarations.

But we know that the law is good, if any man uses it lawfully,

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,

though I once used to abuse, persecute, and insult Him. But mercy was shown me by Him, because I did it in ignorance and unbelief,

but the favour of our Lord display'd itself by that faith and charity, which was wrought in me by Jesus Christ.

But because of this I obtained mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.

But to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, be honor and glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

For there is but one God and one intermediary between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

but with good deeds; for this is appropriate for women who profess to be pious.

Let the woman learn in silence with all submission: but I permit not a woman to teach,

But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to act autonomously from a man, but to be in quietness.

and it was not Adam who was deceived, but it was the woman who was utterly deceived and fell into transgression.

But women will be saved through motherhood, if they continue to live in faith, love, and purity, blended with good sense.

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

no drunkard, not a fighter, not greedy of base gain, but meek, noncontentious, no lover of money,

ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all dignity,??5 but if any one knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God???6 not a novice, lest being inflated with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

(but if any man knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of a congregation of God?),

But [he] must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.

Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,

but they must continue to hold the open secret of faith with a clear conscience.

But let, these also, be proved first, then, let them be ministering, being, unaccusable:

Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.

Let deacons be the husband of but one wife, men who rule their children and their household properly.

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you

but if I delay, that thou may know how it is necessary to live in a house of God, which is a congregation of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

But the Spirit says expressly that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected, [but] to be received with thanksgiving;

But make it your habit to let worldly and old women's stories alone. Continue training yourself for the religious life.

Physical training, indeed, is of some service, but religion is of service for everything, for it contains a promise for the present life as well as the future.

For therefore we labour and suffer rebuke, because we believe in the living God, which is the saviour of all men: but specially of those that believe.

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.

Never reprove an older man, but always appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men like brothers,

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grand children, let these learn first to shew piety at home,

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in the treatment of their own families, and to pay the debt they owe their parents or grandparents, for this is acceptable to God.

But a woman who is really a widow and lives alone has fixed her hope on God, and night and day devotes herself to prayers and entreaties,

But she who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives.

But if any man does not provide for his own, and especially those belonging his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

No widow under sixty years of age should be put on this roll. A widow must have had but one husband,

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

Thus, they bring the judgment [for being untrustworthy] on themselves because they have broken their previous pledge. [Note: This probably refers to younger widows who pledged themselves to fulfill some important church activity and then quit suddenly to get married. But some suggest it refers to them leaving the faith and marrying a non-Christian].

Besides, as they get the habit of gadding about from house to house, they learn to be idle, and not only idle but gossips and busybodies, talking of things they ought not to mention.

If any convert has widow-relations, let such relieve them, that the church may not be charged, but with the relief of such as are entirely destitute.

Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.

But, them who are sinning, before all, do thou reprove, that, the rest also, may have, fear: -

Stop drinking water only, but take a little wine to strengthen your stomach and relieve its frequent attacks.

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

They, however, that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are, brethren but, the more, be doing them service, because, believing and beloved, are they who, from the good workmanship, receive advantage. These things, be teaching, and exhorting: -

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine and teaching which is in agreement with godliness (personal integrity, upright behavior),

he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but doting about disputes and word controversies, from which develop envy, strife, revilings, evil surmisings,

But piety with contentment is great gain,

but having food and covering we will be content with these.

But men who keep planning to get rich fall into temptations and snares and many foolish, hurtful desires which plunge people into destruction and ruin.

But you, as a man of God, must be fleeing always from these things; you must constantly strive for uprightness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Continue charging the rich of this world to stop being haughty and not to fix their hope on a thing so uncertain as riches, but on God who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment;

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

So you must never be ashamed of me His prisoner, but suffer for the good news in fellowship with me and by the power of God.

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 has only recently been made known through the appearance of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who through the good news has put a stop to the power of death, and brought life and immortality to light.

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.

The Lord shew mercy to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but when he was at Rome,

But when he happened to be in Rome he sought me more diligently and found me

But if indeed any one may fight, he is not crowned unless he may fight lawfully.

for the sake of which I am suffering hardships even to the extent of wearing chains as though I were a criminal. But God's message is not in chains.

But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Keep on reminding men of these things. Solemnly charge them before God to stop petty debating, which does no good at all but brings destruction on those who hear it.

Do your best to win God's approval as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of, but rightly shapes the message of truth.

But shun profane babblings, for they will advance to greater impiety,

But God's foundation stands unshaken, with these inscriptions: "The Lord knows the people who belong to Him" and "Everyone who bears the name of the Lord must abstain from evil."

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 if a man purge himself from such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the Lord, and prepared unto all good works.

You must keep on fleeing from the evil impulses of youth, but ever strive for uprightness, faith, love, and peace, in association with those who call upon the Lord with pure hearts.

But shun foolish and uneducated questions, knowing that they breed quarrels.

and a slave of the Lord must not quarrel but must be gentle to everybody; he must be a skillful teacher, and not resentful under injuries.