Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) pray for us^(B) that the message of the Lord^(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^{(D) 2} And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(E) for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful,^(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^{(G) 4} We have confidence^(H) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts^(I) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,^(J) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from^(K) every believer who is idle and disruptive^(L) and does not live according to the teaching^[a] you received from us.^{(M) 7} For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(N) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(O) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(P) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^{(Q) 10} For even when we were with you,^(R) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(S) shall not eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^{(T) 12} Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(U) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^{(V) 13} And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.^(W)

¹⁴ Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,^(X) in order that they may feel ashamed.^{(Y) 15} Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.^(Z)

Final Greetings

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace^(AA) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.^(AB)

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,^(AC) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.^(AD)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God^(AE) our Savior^(AF) and of Christ Jesus our hope,^(AG)

² To Timothy^(AH) my true son^(AI) in the faith:

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

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

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

⁸ We know that the law is good^(AV) if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^(AW) but for lawbreakers and rebels,^(AX) 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^{(AY) 11} that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.^(AZ)

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

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

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(BH) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(BI)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(BJ) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(BK) as an example for those who would believe^(BL) in him and receive eternal life.^{(BM) 17} Now to the King^(BN) eternal, immortal,^(BO) invisible,^(BP) the only God,^(BQ) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(BR)

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son,^(BS) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^(BT) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^{(BU) 19} holding on to faith and a good conscience,^(BV) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^{(BW) 20} Among them are Hymenaeus^(BX) and Alexander,^(BY) whom I have handed over to Satan^(BZ) to be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(CA) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(CB) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(CC) and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases^(CD) God our Savior,^{(CE) 4} who wants^(CF) all people^(CG) to be saved^(CH) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(CI) 5} For there is one God^(CJ) and one mediator^(CK) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(CL) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(CM) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(CN) at the proper time.^{(CO) 7} And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^(CP)—and a true and faithful teacher^(CQ) of the Gentiles.^(CR)

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^(CS) 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,^{(CT) 10} but with good deeds,^(CU) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

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

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:^(DA) Whoever aspires to be an overseer^(DB) desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(DC) faithful to his wife,^(DD) temperate,^(DE) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(DF) able to teach,^{(DG) 3} not given to drunkenness,^(DH) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(DI) not a lover of money.^{(DJ) 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^[e] respect.^{(DK) 5} (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{(DL) 6} He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(DM) and fall under the same judgment^(DN) as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^(DO) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^(DP)

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

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

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(DW) and must manage his children and his household well.^{(DX) 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^(DY) of the living God,^(DZ) the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery^(EA) from which true godliness^(EB) springs is great:

4 The Spirit^(EF) clearly says that in later times^(EG) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits^(EH) and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.^{(EI) 3} They forbid people to marry^(EJ) and order them to abstain from certain foods,^(EK) which God created^(EL) to be received with thanksgiving^(EM) by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good,^(EN) and nothing is to be rejected^(EO) if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God^(EP) and prayer.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[i] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(EQ) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^{(ER) 7} Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(ES) rather, train yourself to be godly.^{(ET) 8} For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(EU) holding promise for both the present life^(EV) and the life to come.^{(EW) 9} This is a trustworthy saying^(EX) that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(EY) who is the Savior of all people,^(EZ) and especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things.^{(FA) 12} Don’t let anyone look down on you^(FB) because you are young, but set an example^(FC) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith^(FD) and in purity. ¹³ Until I come,^(FE) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(FF) to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(FG) when the body of elders^(FH) laid their hands on you.^(FI)

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save^(FJ) both yourself and your hearers.