1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God^(A) our Savior^(B) and of Christ Jesus our hope,^(C)

² To Timothy^(D) my true son^(E) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(F)

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,^(G) stay there in Ephesus^(H) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines^(I) any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths^(J) and endless genealogies.^(K) Such things promote controversial speculations^(L) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(M) and a good conscience^(N) and a sincere faith.^{(O) 6} Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers^(P) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.^(Q)

⁸ We know that the law is good^(R) if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^(S) but for lawbreakers and rebels,^(T) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine^{(U) 11} that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.^(V)

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,^(W) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.^{(X) 13} Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^(Y) and a violent man, I was shown mercy^(Z) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^{(AA) 14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,^(AB) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^(AC)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(AD) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(AE)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(AF) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(AG) as an example for those who would believe^(AH) in him and receive eternal life.^{(AI) 17} Now to the King^(AJ) eternal, immortal,^(AK) invisible,^(AL) the only God,^(AM) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(AN)

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son,^(AO) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^(AP) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^{(AQ) 19} holding on to faith and a good conscience,^(AR) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^{(AS) 20} Among them are Hymenaeus^(AT) and Alexander,^(AU) whom I have handed over to Satan^(AV) to be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(AW) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(AX) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(AY) and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases^(AZ) God our Savior,^{(BA) 4} who wants^(BB) all people^(BC) to be saved^(BD) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(BE) 5} For there is one God^(BF) and one mediator^(BG) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(BH) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(BI) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(BJ) at the proper time.^{(BK) 7} And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^(BL)—and a true and faithful teacher^(BM) of the Gentiles.^(BN)

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^(BO) without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{(BP) 10} but with good deeds,^(BQ) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹ A woman^[a] should learn in quietness and full submission.^{(BR) 12} I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;^[b] she must be quiet.^{(BS) 13} For Adam was formed first, then Eve.^{(BT) 14} And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.^{(BU) 15} But women^[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love^(BV) and holiness with propriety.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:^(BW) Whoever aspires to be an overseer^(BX) desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(BY) faithful to his wife,^(BZ) temperate,^(CA) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(CB) able to teach,^{(CC) 3} not given to drunkenness,^(CD) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(CE) not a lover of money.^{(CF) 4} He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[d] respect.^{(CG) 5} (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{(CH) 6} He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(CI) and fall under the same judgment^(CJ) as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^(CK) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^(CL)

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[e](CM) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(CN) and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{(CO) 10} They must first be tested;^(CP) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ In the same way, the women^[f] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^(CQ) but temperate^(CR) and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(CS) and must manage his children and his household well.^{(CT) 13} Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^(CU) of the living God,^(CV) the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery^(CW) from which true godliness^(CX) springs is great:

Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.^{(A) 2} Teach the older men^(B) to be temperate,^(C) worthy of respect, self-controlled,^(D) and sound in faith,^(E) in love and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers^(F) or addicted to much wine,^(G) but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women^(H) to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled^(I) and pure, to be busy at home,^(J) to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,^(K) so that no one will malign the word of God.^(L)

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men^(M) to be self-controlled.^{(N) 7} In everything set them an example^(O) by doing what is good.^(P) In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.^(Q)

⁹ Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything,^(R) to try to please them, not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior^(S) attractive.^(T)

¹¹ For the grace^(U) of God has appeared^(V) that offers salvation to all people.^{(W) 12} It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,^(X) and to live self-controlled,^(Y) upright and godly lives^(Z) in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing^(AA) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,^{(AB) 14} who gave himself for us^(AC) to redeem us from all wickedness^(AD) and to purify^(AE) for himself a people that are his very own,^(AF) eager to do what is good.^(AG)

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.