of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I did deliver to the Adversary, that they might be instructed not to speak evil.

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 for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

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

So then I would have the men everywhere pray, lifting to God holy hands which are unstained with anger or strife;

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 with good deeds which are fitting for women who profess godliness.

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.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

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;

and these also must be tested first; then let them serve [if they] are above reproach.

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 filled the deacon's office wisely and well, are already gaining for themselves an honourable standing, and are acquiring great freedom of speech in proclaiming the faith which rests on 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.'

[misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning],

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.

for for this we both labour and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men -- especially of those believing.

These are the things you must insist on and teach.

Let no one think slightingly of you because you are a young man; but in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, be an example for your fellow Christians to imitate.

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.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

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 well-attested by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has helped those who are oppressed, if she has devoted herself to every good work.

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry

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

And at the same time also, going around from house to house, they learn [to be] idle, and not only idle, but also gossipy and busybodies, saying the things [that are] not necessary.

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

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.

As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will 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 open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

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 men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who think that godliness is a source of profit [a lucrative, money-making business—withdraw from them].

for nothing did we bring into the world -- it is manifest that we are able to carry nothing out;

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

But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before 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,

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;

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,

Have an outline of sound words, which words thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

And what things thou hast heard of me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men, which are apt to teach 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 faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny 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 message {will spread} like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

who have deviated from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

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 that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Mark this, there are hard times coming in the last days.

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 of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith.

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

Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith].

But evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse as they deceive others and are themselves deceived.

But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them,

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is 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.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

They must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they should not teach for the purpose of dishonest financial gain.

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

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

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.