or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith.

Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion.

This charge I commit to you, child Timothy, according to the prophecies going before in respect to you, that you may war with these the noble warfare;

having faith and a good conscience, which some, [because they] have rejected [these], have suffered shipwreck concerning their faith,

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

And let these be proved first,

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These men's consciences are seared,

and they discourage marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food; though God created these foods to be enjoyed thankfully by those who hold the Faith and have attained a full knowledge of the Truth.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Shut your mind against these profane, drivelling myths; train for the religious life.

These things command and teach.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or grand children, let these learn first to shew piety at home,

But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters].

I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest; and having these otherwise, it cannot be hid.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things teach and exhort. If any one teach otherwise, and adhere not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness;

he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions,

and incessant wrangling on the part of these corrupt-minded people who have lost all hold on the Truth, and who think of religion only as a source of gain.

But having sustenance and covering, we will be content with these.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

to keep these commands stainlessly and blamelessly until the appearance of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.