1 TIMOTHY
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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of
God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my loyal child in the
faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3
I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so
that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, 4 and
not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote
speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. 5 But the
aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience,
and sincere faith. 6 Some people have deviated from these and turned to
meaningless talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding
either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. 8
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 This means
understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless
and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for
those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, 10 fornicators, sodomites,
slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound
teaching 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he
entrusted to me. 12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened
me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even
though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I
received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of
our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners--of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very
reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might
display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to
believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal,
invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18 I am
giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the
prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the
good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience,
certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; 20 among them are
Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may
learn not to blaspheme.
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First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who
are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth. 5 For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and
humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all
--this was attested at the right time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald and
an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles
in faith and truth. 8 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray,
lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; 9 also that the women should
dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair
braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but with good works, as
is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 Let a woman learn in
silence with full submission. 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority
over a man; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14
and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith
and love and holiness, with modesty.
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The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop
desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once,
temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard,
not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. 4 He must
manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in
every way-- 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how
can he take care of God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may
be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7
Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into
disgrace and the snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be serious, not
double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; 9 they must
hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them
first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as
deacons. 11 Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate,
faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage
their children and their households well; 13 for those who serve well as deacons
gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in
Christ Jesus. 14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions
to you so that, 15 if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the
household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark
of the truth. 16 Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was
revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among
Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
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Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will
renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of
demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot
iron. 3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created
to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For
everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is
received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer.
6 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a
good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the
sound teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with profane myths
and old wives' tales. Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical
training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise
for both the present life and the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy
of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our
hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those
who believe. 11 These are the things you must insist on and teach. 12 Let no one
despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in
love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I arrive, give attention to the public
reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that
is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands
by the council of elders. 15 Put these things into practice, devote yourself to
them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and
to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both
yourself and your hearers.
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Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a
father, to younger men as brothers, 2 to older women as mothers, to younger
women as sisters--with absolute purity. 3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4
If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn their
religious duty to their own family and make some repayment to their parents; for
this is pleasing in God's sight. 5 The real widow, left alone, has set her hope
on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; 6 but the widow
who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give these commands as
well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 And whoever does not provide for
relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse
than an unbeliever. 9 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than
sixty years old and has been married only once; 10 she must be well attested for
her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed
the saints' feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in
every way. 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list; for when their
sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry, 12 and so they
incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. 13 Besides that, they
learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house; and they are not merely
idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say. 14 So I
would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so
as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us. 15 For some have already
turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are
really widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it
can assist those who are real widows. 17 Let the elders who rule well be
considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and
teaching; 18 for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is
treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves to be paid." 19 Never accept
any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three
witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of
all, so that the rest also may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions
without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality. 22 Do not ordain
anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself
pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your
stomach and your frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous
and precede them to judgment, while the sins of others follow them there. 25 So
also good works are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot remain
hidden.
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Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters
as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be
blasphemed. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them
on the ground that they are members of the church; rather they must serve them
all the more, since those who benefit by their service are believers and
beloved. Teach and urge these duties. 3 Whoever teaches otherwise and does not
agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in
accordance with godliness, 4 is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a
morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come
envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, 5 and wrangling among those who are
depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of
gain. 6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; 7
for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; 8
but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who
want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and
harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some
have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. 11 But
as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of
the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good
confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the presence of God, who
gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before
Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep the commandment
without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which
he will bring about at the right time--he who is the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 It is he alone who has immortality and
dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be
honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17 As for those who in the present age are
rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty
of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our
enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready
to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation
for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. 20
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and
contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; 21 by professing it some
have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you.
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