and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I make the same request now.

Knowing this, that the law is laid down not for the just one, but for the lawless and disorderly, for the profane and sinful, for the wicked and unholy, for the patricides and matricides, for manslayers,

For lewd persons, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;

keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. For some people have let that go and have had their faith ruined,

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.

My desire, then, is that it should be the custom everywhere for the men to lead the prayers, with hands reverently uplifted, avoiding heated controversy.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

I allow no woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man; but let her keep quiet.

And Adam was not seduced by the serpent, but the woman being led astray was first in the transgression.

Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

(and if any one his own house how to lead hath not known, how an assembly of God shall he take care of?)

Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

And let these be proved first,

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Likewise let their wives be grave, not tattlers, modest, faithful in all things.

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.

These having laid down to the brethren, thou shalt be a good servant of Jesus Christ, brought up in the words of faith and good doctrine, which thou bast closely followed.

As for profane legends and old wives' tales, leave them alone. Train yourself to lead a religious life;

Let these be your orders and your teaching.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Till I come, hold to reading loud, to entreaty, to doctrine.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, [that special endowment] which was intentionally bestowed on you [by the Holy Spirit] through prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands on you [at your ordination].

Attend to these duties, let them absorb you, so that all men may note your progress.

Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to 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 any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

as for the widow, who is really such, and without any assistance, let her place all her hopes in God, and be assiduous in supplication and prayer.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

But refuse younger widows, for whenever their physical desires lead them away from Christ, they want to marry,

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.

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

Never let any charge be brought against a presbyter, unless it is certified by two or three witnesses.

There are some men whose sins are conspicuous and lead on to judgment, while there are others whose sins dog their steps.

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.

he is a conceited ignoramus with a morbid appetite for discussions and controversies which lead to envy, quarreling, abuse, base suspicions,

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

to observe these precepts, to lead an unspotted life without reproof until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.