UNTO TIMOTHY I
[1] PAUL, apostle of Christ Jesus according to commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our :hope; [2] to Timothy, true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our :Lord.
[3] As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, [4] neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation1 of God which is in faith; so do I now. [5] But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and good conscience and faith unfeigned: [6] from which things some having swerved2 have turned aside unto vain talking; [7] desiring to be teachers of law, though understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm. [8] But we know that the law is good, if one use it lawfully, [9] as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for lawless and unruly, for ungodly and sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers3 of fathers and murderers3 of mothers, for manslayers, [10] for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound4 teaching; [11] according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
[12] I thank him that enabled me, Christ Jesus our :Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; [13] though I was :before a blasphemer, and persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; [14] and the grace of our :Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] Faithful the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: [16] howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his :longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life. [17] Now unto the King of the ages, incorruptible, invisible, only God, be honor and glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
[18] This :charge I commit to thee, Timothy child, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou war the good warfare; [19] having faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith: [20] of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I delivered to :Satan, that they be taught not to blaspheme.
[1] I exhort therefore first of all to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men; [2] for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. [3] This is good and acceptable in sight of God our :Saviour; [4] who willeth all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of truth. [5] For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own seasons; [7] whereunto I was appointed preacher1 and apostle (I speak truth, I lie not), a teacher of nations in faith and truth.
[8] I desire therefore the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputings. [9] In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braids, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; [10] but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works. [11] Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. [12] But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. [13] For Adam was first formed, then Eve; [14] and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being much beguiled hath fallen into transgression: [15] but she shall be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. Faithful is the saying,
[1] If one seeketh an overseership, he desireth a good work: [2] the overseer therefore must be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; [3] no brawler,1 no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; [4] one that ruleth well his own :house, having children in subjection with all gravity; [5] (but if one knoweth not how to rule his own :house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) [6] not a novice, lest puffed up he fall into condemnation2 of the devil. [7] Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without: lest he fall into reproach and a snare of the devil. [8] Deacons likewise must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; [9] holding the mystery of the faith in pure conscience. [10] And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. [11] Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own :houses well. [13] For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[14] These things write I to thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly;
[15] but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how one should behave in God's house, which is a congregation3 of the living God, pillar and ground4 of the truth.
[16] And without controversy5 great is the mystery of :godliness;
He who was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the spirit,
Seen of angels,
Preached among nations,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
[1] But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later seasons some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, [2] through hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded1 in their own conscience as with hot iron; [3] forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from meats, which :God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if received with thanksgiving: [5] for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
[6] If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast followed on: [7] but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: [8] for bodily :exercise is profitable for a little; but :godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life now, and of the one to come. [9] Faithful the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. [10] For hereunto do we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on a living God, who is Saviour of all men, specially of faithful ones.2 [11] These things command and teach. [12] Let no one despise thy :youth; but be an ensample to the faithful,2 in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, in purity. [13] Till I come, give heed to :reading, :exhortation, :teaching. [14] Neglect not the gift in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the presbytery.3 [15] Be diligent in these; give thyself wholly to these; that thy :progress be manifest to all. [16] Take heed to thyself, and to the teaching. Continue therein; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
[1] Rebuke not an elder, but exhort as a father; the younger men as brethren: [2] the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. [3] Honor widows that are widows indeed. [4] But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own house, and to requite1 their parents: for this is acceptable in sight of :God. [5] Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on :God, and continueth in :supplications and :prayers night and day. [6] But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. [7] These things also command, that they may be without reproach. [8] But if any provideth not for his :own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. [9] Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, wife of one man, [10] well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. [11] But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against the Christ, they desire to marry; [12] having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.2 [13] And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house3 to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. [14] I desire therefore the younger women to marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: [15] for already some are turned aside after :Satan. [16] If any believer hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
[17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, specially those who labor in the word and teaching. [18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his :hire. [19] Against an elder receive no accusation, except from two or three witnesses. [20] But them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. [21] I charge thee in sight of :God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice,4 doing nothing by partiality. [22] Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be partaker of others' sins: keep thyself pure. [23] Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy :stomach's sake and thine oft :infirmities. [24] Some men's :sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after. [25] Likewise also the good :works are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.
[1] Let as many as are bondmen under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of :God and the teaching be not blasphemed.
[2] And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake1 of the benefit are believing and beloved.
These things teach and exhort.
[3] If any teacheth different, and consenteth not to sound2 words, those of our :Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching according to godliness,
[4] he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting3 about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
[5] wranglings of men corrupted in :mind and bereft of the truth, supposing :godliness is a way of gain.
[6] But :godliness with contentment is great gain:
[7] for we brought nothing into the world, because neither can we carry anything out;
[8] but having food4 and covering4 we shall be therewith content.5
[9] But who would be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown :men in destruction and perdition.
[10] For the love of money is a root of all :evils; which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,6 meekness. [12] Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in sight of many witnesses. [13] I charge thee in sight of :God, who giveth7 life to :all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; [14] that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our :Lord Jesus Christ: [15] which in its8 own seasons he, the blessed and only Potentate, shall show, the King of :kings,9 and Lord of lords;10 [16] who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
[17] Charge the rich in this :present age, not to be highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on :God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to distribute, willing11 to communicate; [19] treasuring up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
[20] O Timothy, guard the deposit, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge falsely so called;
[21] which some professing have erred12 concerning the faith.
:Grace be with you.