1

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

² to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord [be yours].

³ As I encouraged you to remain in Ephesus, when I was going to Macedonia, so that you would tell certain [individuals] not to teach any other doctrine,

⁴ or pay attention to fables and endless genealogies, which leads to controversy rather than godly growth in faith.

⁵ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

⁶ Some having swerved from this have turned aside to meaningless discussions.

⁷ Desiring to be teachers of the law they don't even understand what they are talking about or what they strongly assert.

⁸ But we know that the law is good, if one uses it as it should be used.

⁹ We understand that the law was not laid down for a righteous man but for the lawless, for disobedient, for ungodly, for sinners, for the unholy, for those with no reverence for what is sacred, for murderers of fathers, for murderers of mothers, for killers,

¹⁰ for people who are sexually immoral, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

¹¹ [which is] according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, in that he considered me faithful, appointing me to [his] service.

¹³ Previously I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and overbearing person, but obtained mercy because I did [these things] ignorantly in unbelief.

¹⁴ But the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant along with faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This is trustworthy saying and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.

¹⁶ Yet for this reason I obtained mercy, so that in me, the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ could show all long suffering, for an example to those who later on would believe in him for everlasting life.

¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ I commit this command to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, so that by them you may wage the good warfare,

¹⁹ keeping faith and a good conscience, which some having shoved aside have shipwrecked the faith.

²⁰ Hymenus and Alexander are among these, whom I have delivered to Satan, so they may learn not to blaspheme.

2

¹ Therefore, first of all, I strongly urge that humble requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people.

² For kings and all in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in total godliness and honesty.

³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

⁴ who desires all people to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth.

⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, [this was] the testimony in its proper time.

⁷ For this, I am appointed a preacher and apostle--I speak the truth in Christ; I do not lie--a teacher of the Gentiles for faith and knowledge of truth.

⁸ Therefore I want men to pray wherever they are, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubt.

⁹ In the same way also, that women dress themselves in modest clothes, inclined to avoid notice, and be in self-control, not with embroidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothes,

¹⁰ but with what is proper for women professing godliness along with good works.

¹¹ Let women learn with quietness with all submissiveness.

¹² Now I do not allow a woman to teach or usurp authority over a man but to be in quietness,

¹³ for Adam was formed first, then Eve.

¹⁴ Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, fell into transgression.

¹⁵ Nevertheless she will be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with self-control.

3

¹ This is a trustworthy saying: If a man desires the oversight [of the congregation], he desires a good work.

² The overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, self-controlled, of good behavior, given to hospitality, able to teach,

³ not given to wine, not quarrelsome, not greedy for money, but instead be patient, not contentious, not covetous,

⁴ one who manages his own household well, having his children in full submission with total respect.

⁵ For if a man doesn't know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the congregation of God?

⁶ He must not be a new convert, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

⁷ In addition he must have a good reputation of those outside [the congregation], lest he fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.

⁸ In the same way deacons must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to lots of wine, not greedy for filthy money,

⁹ keeping the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

¹⁰ Let these also first be proven, then, if found blameless, let them have the position of a deacon.

¹¹ In the same way [their] wives must be dignified, not slanderers, free from the influence of wine, totally faithful.

¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own households well.

¹³ For those having served well get for themselves a good reputation and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I write these things to you hoping to come to you soon.

¹⁵ But if I am delayed you will know how you should conduct yourself in the family of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

¹⁶ It must be admitted that the mystery of godliness is great. God appeared in flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, shown to angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

4

¹ Now the Spirit speaks explicitly that in latter times some will depart from the faith turning their attention to seducing spirits and teachings of demons,

² telling lies with hypocrisy, having their conscience seared,

³ forbidding to marry, [and demanding] abstinence from foods, which God has created, to be partaken with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

⁴ For every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving,

⁵ for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and good teaching to which you have carefully followed.

⁷ Shun crude myths and old wives' tales, instead exercise yourself for godliness.

⁸ For bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is beneficial for everything having a promise of this present life and the one to come.

⁹ This is a trustworthy saying, deserving full acceptance.

¹⁰ It is for this that we labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things.

¹² Let no one despise your young age, instead be an example to the believers in word, behavior, love, attitude, faith, and purity.

¹³ Until I come apply yourself to reading, exhortation, and to teaching.

¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of hands by the elders.

¹⁵ Carefully think about these things; give yourself wholly to them, so your progress may be obvious to all.

¹⁶ Watch yourself and your teaching; continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those hearing you.

5

¹ Don't rebuke an elder, instead plead with him like a father, [and] the younger men like brothers,

² the older women like mothers, the younger women like sisters with all purity.

³ Honor widows who are really widows.

⁴ But if any widow has children or descendants, then let them learn to show their religious responsibility to their own family and to repay their parents, for that is good and acceptable in God's sight.

⁵ Now she, who is really a widow and left alone, trusts in God and continues with requests and prayers day and night,

⁶ but she, who lives in luxury, is dead even while she lives.

⁷ Communicate these instructions, so they may be blameless.

⁸ Now if any does not provide for his own and especially those of his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Do not let a widow be enrolled less than 60 years old having been the wife of one man,

¹⁰ having a good reputation for good deeds, and if she has raised children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of God's people, if she has helped the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good deed.

¹¹ Refuse the younger widows, for when their strong sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they will marry,

¹² [and] have condemnation, because they have rejected their first faith.

¹³ Along with this, they learn to be lazy wandering from house to house, and not only lazy but gossips and busybodies talking about things they shouldn't.

¹⁴ Therefore I want the younger women to marry, bear children, manage the household, and give no opportunity to the adversary to bitterly denounce us.

¹⁵ Some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

¹⁶ If any believing man or woman have widows, let them help them and don't let the congregation be burdened, so that it may help those who are really widows.

¹⁷ Let the elders, who do a good job of being in charge, be deserving of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle the ox who threshes the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his pay."

¹⁹ Do not accept an accusation against an elder, except from two or three witnesses.

²⁰ Those who sin rebuke before all, so the others may also fear.

²¹ I testify before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you obey these things without prejudice doing nothing by favoritism.

²² Do not lay hands on any man too hastily, or be a partaker of other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Do not be a water drinker only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴ Some people's sins are obvious before judgment, but for others [it is] later on.

²⁵ In the same way the good deeds [of some] are obvious and those [done] in other ways cannot be hidden.

6

¹ Let all slaves, who are under a yoke, consider their own masters worthy of full honor, so that the name of God and his doctrine be not spoken evil of.

² Now those, who have believing masters, must not despise them, because they are brothers, but instead, they must obey them, because they are faithful and worthy of love, partakers of the gospel benefits. Teach and insist on these things.

³ If any man teaches otherwise and doesn't consent with the wholesome sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching on godliness,

⁴ he is proud, knowing nothing, and having a sick interest in questioning and trifles, from which comes envy, discord, abusive verbal attacks, [and] evil surmisings,

⁵ the useless line of work from men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that financial gain is godliness. Withdraw yourself from this kind.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ We brought nothing into this world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ Having food and clothing, let us be content with these.

⁹ Those who determine to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and into many foolish and harmful cravings, which drown men in destruction and eternal ruin.

¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil, which some, longing for, strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

¹¹ But you, O man of God, run away from these things and follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, constancy, [and] meekness.

¹² Give vigorous effort in the good battle of faith, powerfully grip eternal life, to which you were invited and have made known openly [your] good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.

¹³ I command you in the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, 1Ti 6:14 that you obey this commandment spotlessly and blamelessly, until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁴

¹⁵ who will show at his own time who is the blessed and only authority, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

¹⁶ who alone has immortality, living in the light, which no one can approach, whom no one has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

¹⁷ Command those, who are rich in this present world, that they be not arrogant or trust in undependable riches, but [to trust] in the living God who richly gives us everything to enjoy.

¹⁸ [Command] that they do good, be rich in good works, ready to donate, willing to share,

¹⁹ storing for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may take hold of eternal life.

²⁰ O Timothy, carefully keep safe what was committed to your trust, avoiding ungodly and fruitless babblings and oppositions from, what is falsely called, science,

²¹ which some claiming expertise have turned away from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.