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¹ PAUL’Sa FIRST LETTER TO TIMOTHY Greeting From Paul, an apostleb of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior, and by the command of Christ Jesus, our hope.

² To Timothy, my true child in the faith. Grace, peace, and mercy to you, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ Warning against False Teachers Remember how I asked you to stay on in Ephesusc when I was going to Macedonia?d You were to tell certain people not to teach other doctrines,

⁴ and to stop paying attention to myths and endless genealogies of semi-divine beings.e Those things put forward theories-rather than God’s plan, which is about faith.

⁵ Well, the aim of my instruction is love from a clean heart, a good conscience, and realf faith.

⁶ Some people have gotten way off in relation to these things, and have turned their attention to nonsense.

⁷ They want to be teachers of the Lawg.-without understanding the things they’re saying or the things they’re talking about so confidently.

⁸ Now, we know that the Law is good if a person uses it properly-

⁹ that is, if they know that the law is not set up for the just person. It’s for those who are lawless and rebellious; it’s for the ungodly people and the sinners. It’s for the irreligious and the blasphemous; it’s for people who kill their fathers and mothers; it’s for murderers.

¹⁰ It’s for people who are sexually immoral, for pederasts, and slave traders;h it’s for liars and people who break their word.i And it’s for anything else that’s

¹¹ contrary to sound teaching and against the good news I’ve been entrusted with-the good news of the glory of God, who deserves to be blessed.j

¹² Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy I’m thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthenedk me-because he considered me trustworthy to appoint for his service.

¹³ Before, I’d been a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man. But I was given mercy, because without realizing it, I acted in unbelief.

¹⁴ But our Lord’s grace has been more than plenty for me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This statement is trustworthy, and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I’m the worst.l

¹⁶ But I’ve been shown mercy for that very reason: so that Christ Jesus could demonstrate all his patience with me, the worstm one. I’d serve as an example of those who were going to believe in him and receive eternal life.n

¹⁷ And may the Ruler of all eternity, the incorruptible, invisible, one and only God, receive honor and glory forever and ever. Amen!o

¹⁸ I’m entrusting this instruction to you, Timothy my son. It’s in line with the prophecies that have already been made about you, so you could use them as a soldier in the good battle,

¹⁹ with faith and a good conscience.p Some people have ignored their consciences, and have experienced a shipwreck in their faith.

²⁰ Hymenaeusq and Alexander belong to that group. I’ve turned them over to Satan, to be taught not to blaspheme.

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¹ Christians Should Pray for All People So first of all, I want to ask that intercessions, prayers, requests, and thanks should be made for all people.

² They should be made for rulers and for all people in high positions, so that we can lead a quiet and peaceful life, in complete reverence for God and dignity.

³ That’s what’s good and acceptable toa God our Savior.

⁴ God wants all people to be saved, and for them all to come to the knowledgeb of the truth.

⁵ Because there’s one God , And there’s one mediator between God and humanity: The human being Christ Jesus.

⁶ He gave himself as the price that buys everyone out of captivity.c. This is his testimony, At the right moment in history.

⁷ I’ve been appointed as a preacher and apostled of this testimony. I’m telling the truth; I’m not lying. I’ve been appointed as a teacher of faith and truth to the Gentiles.e

⁸ So I want the men everywhere to pray. They should lift up holy hands, without anger and arguments.

⁹ And I want the women to do the same. They should dress decently, with modesty and good sense. They shouldn’t wearf fancy braided hairg or gold or pearls, or expensive clothes.

¹⁰ Instead, let it be what’s appropriate for women who are dedicated to serving God through their good endeavors.h

¹¹ A woman should quietly learn the faith in complete openness.i

¹² But I don’t allow a woman to teach the faith or to be in authority over a man.j She should be quiet.

¹³ After all, Adam was made first, then Eve.k

¹⁴ And Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman got led astray and ended up in disobedience.l

¹⁵ But womankindm will be saved by bearing children, if they liven in faith, love and holiness, along with good sense.

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¹ Pastors and Deacons Here’s a trustworthy statement: if somebody aspires to be a pastor,a they’re setting their heart on a worthy endeavor.

² So-a pastor has to have an impeccable reputation.b They have to be faithful to one spouse.c They have to be sober,d self-controlled, decent, hospitable, and good at teaching.

³ They should not be a drinker or violent. Just the opposite: they should be tolerant and peaceable, and free from the love of money.

⁴ They should manage their own household well. They should keep their children obedient, with complete dignity.e

⁵ After all,f if somebody can’t manage their own household, how are they going to care for the community of God?

⁶ They should not be a new convert, so that they won’t get puffed up and fall into condemnation by the devil.

⁷ And they have to have a good reputation with outsiders, so that they won’t be subjected tog ridicule and fall into the devil’s trap.

⁸ Deaconsh should be equallyi honorable-not dishonest, addicted to drinking a lot,j or greedy for money.

⁹ They should be holding the secret of our faith with a clear conscience.

¹⁰ And deacons should also be tested before being given responsibility. Then let them serve if there’s nothing against them.k

¹¹ Women deaconsl should be equallym honorable. They shouldn’t spread vicious rumors;n they should be sober,o trustworthy in every way.

¹² Deacons should be faithful to one spouse.p They should manage their children and their own households well.

¹³ People who serve well as deacons are getting themselves a good foundation.q And they’re getting a lot of self-confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ The Great Secret I’m hoping to come to you soon.r

¹⁵ But I’m writing all this to you so that if I’m delayed,s you’ll know how people should behave in God’s household. This is the community of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

¹⁶ And it’s undeniable that the secret of our religion is a great one:t. He appeared in a human body,u. Was vindicatedv by the Spirit,w. Was seen by angels, Was proclaimed tox the nations, Was believed in here in the world, Was taken up to heaven in glory.

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¹ False Teachers Now, the Spirit explicitly says that, in later times, some people are going to turn away from the faith. They’ll pay attention to deceptive spirits and demonic teachings.a

² These things are going to be put forward by lying fakesb whose own conscience has been fried.c

³ They’ll forbid people to get married. They’ll tell people to avoid certain foods-foods that God created to be received with thanks. They’re not forbidden to those who believe and know the truth.d

⁴ Because everything created by God is good. And nothing’s to be rejected that’s received with thanks-

⁵ after all, it’s made holy by God’s word and by prayer.

⁶ Be a Good Servant of Christ Jesus As you teach the brothers and sisters all this, you’ll be being a good servant of Christ Jesus. You’ll show that you’re competent in matters of faith and of the good teaching that you’ve followed.

⁷ And say no to disgusting religious myths that are old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself in reverence for God.

⁸ Because training your body is useful to a small extent, but reverence for God is valuable for everything. It holds promise for this lifee and for the life that’s to come.

⁹ Here’s a trustworthy statement, that deserves complete acceptance:

¹⁰ “This is why we workf and sweat: because we’ve put our hope in the Living God. God is the Savior of all people-especially those who believe.”

¹¹ Give these instructions, and teach them.

¹² No one should look down on you because you’re young.g Far from it: be an example to the believers-in your speech, your behavior, your love, your faith, and your purity.h

¹³ Until I come, be attentive to the reading of the scriptures, to encouraging people, and to teaching.

¹⁴ Don’t ignore the spiritual gift that’s in you-which was given to you through prophecy, with the group of elders laying hands on you.i

¹⁵ Practice at your gifts. Be devoted to them, so that your progress will be obvious to everyone.

¹⁶ Take care of yourself and of your teaching. Keep on with it. Because in doing that, you’ll save both yourself and your hearers.

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¹ Advice to Timothy as a Spiritual Community Leader Don’t harshly criticize an elder. Instead, appeal to him as you would to your father. Treat younger men as brothers,

² women elders as mothers, and younger women as sisters-with total purity.

³ Honor widows that are truly widows.

⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, theya should learn to practice their religion first at home-let them give something back to those who were born before them, because that’s acceptable tob God.

⁵ But the true widow has found herself alone,c and has put her hope in God. And she’s steadfast in her requests and prayers, night and day.

⁶ But the one who overindulges herself is dead while she’s alive.

⁷ And say these things strongly, so they’ll be above criticism.

⁸ But if somebody doesn’t take care of their own-especially those in their household-they’ve denied the faith, and they’re worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ A widow should be put on the list if she’s at least sixty years old, and has had one husband.d

¹⁰ She should be recommended by the good things she’s done:e for example, * if she’s brought up children * if she’s shown hospitality * if she’s washed the feet of the holy ones * if she’s helped people in trouble * if she’s dedicated herself to all kinds of charitable work.f

¹¹ But refuse the younger widows. Because sometimesg they get drawn away from Christ by their physical desires, and they want to get married.

¹² And then they’re accountableh for breaking their original pledge.

¹³ They also get in the habit of beingi lazy. They go around people’s houses not only being lazy, but also gossipy and nosy, talking about things that shouldn’t be discussed.

¹⁴ So I want the younger ones to get married, have children, and manage a household. That way, they won’t give the enemy any opportunity to insult us.

¹⁵ After all, some people have already turned back to Satan.

¹⁶ If one of the believing women has widows in her family, she should take care of them: she shouldn’t burden the community. That way, the community can take care of the ones who are truly widows.

¹⁷ The elders who have led well should be regarded as worthy of double honor-particularly those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

¹⁸ Because the scripture says, “Don’t muzzle the ox that’s threshing,”j and “The laborers deserve their pay”.k

¹⁹ Don’t accept an accusation against an elder except “on the testimony of two or three witnesses”.l

²⁰ Confront those who have sinned, in front of everyone. That way, everybody else will be afraid to do the same.

²¹ I challenge you, in front of God, and Christ Jesus, and God’s chosen angels: follow these instructions without prejudging anything. Don’t do anything out of partiality.m

²² Don’t give anyone spiritual responsibility right awayn.-don’to get involved in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.p

²³ Don’t just drink water anymore-use a little wine because of your stomach, and the illnesses you keep getting.q

²⁴ Some people’s sins are obvious, and go ahead of them to judgment, and other people’s follow behind them.

²⁵ The good things people do are also just as obvious-and the things that aren’t good can’t be kept hidden.

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¹ Advice about Slaves and Masters Those who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of total respect. That way, God’s name and our teaching won’t get insulted.

² And those who have believing masters shouldn’t despise them for being Christians.a Just the opposite: they should serve them more, because the recipients of their good work are believers, and are dear to them.b. Beware of Argumentative, Greedy People Teach and encouragec these things.

³ Supposed somebody teaches something different-suppose they don’t pay attention to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to reverent teaching.e

⁴ They’ve become puffed up with pride, and they don’t understand anything at all. They have a sick obsession with arguments and battles over words. Those things result inf hatred, petty fights, insults, and vicious rumors.g

⁵ Such things are constant irritations amongh people whose minds are ruined, and who’ve lost the truth. They think that reverence for God is a way of getting rich.

⁶ Well, reverence for God-with contentment-makes you very rich.

⁷ Because we didn’t bring anything into the world-and because we can’t take anything out of it either.

⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we’re going to be content with that.

⁹ But people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into lots of mindless and harmful desires. Those desires sink people into ruin and destruction.

¹⁰ Because love of money is a root of all the evils there are. Through yearning for money, some people have fallen away from the faith, and have stabbed themselves right through with lots of sufferings.

¹¹ Struggle in the Good Contest of Faith But you, man of God, stay well away from all this.i Go after integrity,j reverence for God, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

¹² Struggle in the good contest of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called-and which you publicly professed, making the good profession in front of lots of witnesses.

¹³ I challenge you-in front of God, who gives life to all things, and in front of Christ Jesus, who testified to the good profession in front of Pontius Pilate:k

¹⁴ Be flawless and impeccable in keeping thisl command, until the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ!

¹⁵ God, the Blessed One, is going to reveal him at the right momentm.- The Only Sovereign, The Ruler of rulers, The Master of masters,n

¹⁶ The Only Immortal One, The One who lives in unapproachable light, The One no human being has seen or can see! To God be honor and eternal power! Amen.

¹⁷ Rich People Should Do Charitable Work and Give Generously Challenge people who are rich in this age not to think they’re superioro.-and not to put their hope in wealth, which is undependable.p Instead, they should put their hope in God. God is the One who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

¹⁸ They should do charitable work and be wealthy in good deeds. They should be generous givers, people who share.

¹⁹ They’ll be storing away a good foundation for themselves for the coming age. That way they’ll take hold of what’s really life.

²⁰ Final Challenge and Greeting Timothy, protect what I’m leaving in your care!q Turn your back on the unholy babblings and contradictionsr of what’s falsely labeled as “knowledge”.

²¹ Some people have claimed to be experts in that stuff,s and have gotten way off in terms of the faith. Grace be with you.t