Sanctification and Love

4 ^(A)Finally then, ^(B)brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to ^[a](C)walk and ^(D)please God (just as you actually do ^[b]walk), that you ^(E)excel even more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you ^[c]by the authority of the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you ^(F)abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that ^(G)each of you know how to ^[d]possess his own ^[e](H)vessel in sanctification and ^(I)honor, ⁵ not in ^[f](J)lustful passion, like the Gentiles who ^(K)do not know God; ⁶ and that no one violate the rights and ^(L)take advantage of his brother or sister ^(M)in the matter, because ^(N)the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also ^(O)told you previously and solemnly warned you. ⁷ For ^(P)God has not called us for ^[g](Q)impurity, but in sanctification. ⁸ Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who ^(R)gives His Holy Spirit to you.

⁹ Now as to the ^(S)love of the brothers and sisters, you ^(T)have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are ^(U)taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰ for indeed ^(V)you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to ^(W)excel even more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition ^(X)to lead a quiet life and ^(Y)attend to your own business and ^(Z)work with your hands, just as we instructed you, ¹² so that you will ^[h](AA)behave properly toward ^(AB)outsiders and ^[i](AC)not be in any need.

Those Who Died in Christ

¹³ But ^(AD)we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who ^[j](AE)are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed ^(AF)the rest of mankind do, who have ^(AG)no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, ^(AH)so also God will bring with Him ^(AI)those who have fallen asleep ^[k]through Jesus. ¹⁵ For we say this to you ^(AJ)by the word of the Lord, that ^(AK)we who are alive ^[l]and remain until ^(AL)the coming of the Lord will not precede ^(AM)those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord ^(AN)Himself ^(AO)will descend from heaven with a ^[m](AP)shout, with the voice of ^(AQ)the archangel and with the ^(AR)trumpet of God, and ^(AS)the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then ^(AT)we who are alive, who remain, will be ^(AU)caught up together with them ^(AV)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always ^(AW)be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore, ^[n]comfort one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now as to the ^(AX)periods and ^[o]times, brothers and sisters, you ^(AY)have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that ^(AZ)the day of the Lord is coming ^(BA)just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “^(BB)Peace and safety!” then ^(BC)sudden destruction ^[p]will come upon them like ^(BD)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in ^(BE)darkness, so that the day would overtake you ^[q](BF)like a thief; ⁵ for you are all ^(BG)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of ^(BH)darkness; ⁶ so then, let’s not ^(BI)sleep as ^[r](BJ)others do, but let’s be alert and ^[s](BK)sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, ^(BL)get drunk at night. ⁸ But since ^(BM)we are of the day, let’s ^(BN)be ^[t]sober, having put on the ^(BO)breastplate of ^(BP)faith and love, and as a ^(BQ)helmet, the ^(BR)hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(BS)wrath, but for ^(BT)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (BU)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore, ^[u]encourage one another and ^(BV)build one another up, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

¹² But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to ^(BW)recognize those ^(BX)who diligently labor among you and ^[v](BY)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you ^[w]instruction, ¹³ and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. ^(BZ)Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴ We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish ^(CA)the ^[x]unruly, encourage ^(CB)the fainthearted, help ^(CC)the weak, be ^(CD)patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that ^(CE)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always ^(CF)seek what is good for one another and for all people. ^16 (CG)Rejoice always, ^17 (CH)pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything ^(CI)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. ^19 (CJ)Do not quench the Spirit, ²⁰ do not utterly reject ^[y](CK)prophecies, ²¹ but ^(CL)examine everything; ^(CM)hold firmly to that which is good, ²² abstain from every ^[z]form of evil.

²³ Now ^(CN)may the God of peace ^(CO)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your ^(CP)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, ^(CQ)without blame at ^(CR)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^24 (CS)Faithful is He who ^(CT)calls you, and He also will do it.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, ^(CU)pray for us^[aa].

^26 (CV)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I put you under oath by the Lord to ^(CW)have this letter read to all the ^(CX)brothers and sisters.

^28 (CY)May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Giving Thanks for Faith and Perseverance

1 ^(A)Paul, ^(B)Silvanus, and ^(C)Timothy,

To the ^(D)church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: ^2 (E)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always ^(F)to give thanks to God for you, ^(G)brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the ^(H)love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. ⁴ As a result, we ourselves ^(I)speak proudly of you among ^(J)the churches of God for your ^[a]perseverance and faith ^[b](K)in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. ⁵ This is ^[c]a ^(L)plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be ^(M)considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. ^6 [d]For after all ^(N)it is only right ^[e]for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, ^[f](O)when the Lord Jesus will be revealed ^(P)from heaven ^(Q)with ^[g]His mighty angels ^8 (R)in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who ^(S)do not know God, and to those who ^(T)do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ These people will pay the penalty of ^(U)eternal destruction, ^(V)away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, ¹⁰ when He comes to be ^(W)glorified among His ^[h]saints on that ^(X)day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our ^(Y)testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end also we ^(Z)pray for you always, that our God will ^(AA)consider you worthy of your ^(AB)calling, and fulfill every desire for ^(AC)goodness and the ^(AD)work of faith with power, ¹² so that the ^(AE)name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Man of Lawlessness

2 Now we ask you, ^(AF)brothers and sisters, regarding the ^[i](AG)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our ^(AH)gathering together to Him, ² that you not be quickly shaken from your ^[j]composure or be disturbed either by a ^(AI)spirit, or a ^[k](AJ)message, or a ^(AK)letter as if from us, to the effect that ^(AL)the day of the Lord ^(AM)has come. ^3 (AN)No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the ^[l](AO)apostasy comes first, and the ^(AP)man of lawlessness is revealed, the ^(AQ)son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above ^[m](AR)every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, ^(AS)displaying himself as being God. ⁵ Do you not remember that ^(AT)while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? ⁶ And you know ^(AU)what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. ⁷ For ^(AV)the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only ^[n](AW)He who now restrains will do so until ^[o]He is ^[p]removed. ⁸ Then that lawless one ^(AX)will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate ^(AY)with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the ^(AZ)appearance of His ^[q]coming; ⁹ that is, the one whose ^[r]coming is in accord with the activity of ^(BA)Satan, with all power and false ^[s](BB)signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with ^[t]all the deception of wickedness for ^(BC)those who perish, because they did not accept the love of ^(BD)the truth so as to be saved. ¹¹ For this reason ^(BE)God ^[u]will send upon them ^[v]a ^(BF)deluding influence so that they will believe ^[w]what is false, ¹² in order that they all may be ^[x]judged who ^(BG)did not believe the truth, but ^[y](BH)took pleasure in wickedness.

Stand Firm

^13 (BI)But we should always give thanks to God for you, ^(BJ)brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because ^(BK)God has chosen you ^[z]from the beginning ^(BL)for salvation ^[aa](BM)through sanctification ^[ab]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ¹⁴ It was for this He ^(BN)called you through ^(BO)our gospel, ^[ac]that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, ^(BP)stand firm and ^(BQ)hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether ^(BR)by word of mouth or ^(BS)by letter ^[ad]from us.

^16 (BT)Now may our Lord Jesus Christ ^(BU)Himself and God our Father, who has ^(BV)loved us and given us eternal comfort and ^(BW)good hope by grace, ^17 (BX)comfort and ^(BY)strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Request for Prayer

3 ^(BZ)Finally, brothers and sisters, ^(CA)pray for us that ^(CB)the word of the Lord will ^[ae]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; ² and that we will be ^(CC)rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. ³ But ^(CD)the Lord is faithful, ^[af]and He will strengthen and protect you ^[ag]from ^(CE)the evil one. ⁴ We have ^(CF)confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you ^(CG)are doing, and will do, what we command. ⁵ May the Lord ^(CH)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, ^(CI)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you ^[ah](CJ)keep away from every brother or sister who ^[ai]leads a ^[aj](CK)disorderly life and not one in accordance with ^(CL)the tradition which ^[ak]you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to ^[al](CM)follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, ⁸ nor did we ^(CN)eat ^[am]anyone’s bread ^[an]without paying for it, but with ^(CO)labor and hardship we kept ^(CP)working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; ⁹ not because we do not have ^(CQ)the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves ^(CR)as a role model for you, so that you would ^[ao]follow our example. ¹⁰ For even ^(CS)when we were with you, we used to give you this order: ^(CT)if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you are ^(CU)leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like ^(CV)busybodies. ¹² Now we command and ^(CW)exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to ^(CX)work ^[ap]peacefully and eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, ^(CY)brothers and sisters, ^(CZ)do not grow weary of doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our ^[aq]instruction ^[ar](DA)in this letter, take special note of that person so as ^(DB)not to associate with him, so that he will be ^(DC)put to shame. ¹⁵ And yet ^(DD)do not regard that person as an enemy, but ^[as](DE)admonish that one as a ^(DF)brother or sister.

¹⁶ Now ^(DG)may the Lord of peace ^(DH)Himself continually grant you peace in every ^[at]circumstance. ^(DI)The Lord be with you all!

^17 [au]I, Paul, write this greeting ^(DJ)with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. ^18 (DK)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Correcting False Teaching

1 Paul, ^(A)an apostle of ^(B)Christ Jesus ^(C)according to the commandment of ^(D)God our Savior, and of ^(E)Christ Jesus, who is our ^(F)hope,

² To ^(G)Timothy, ^(H)my true ^[a]son in the faith: ^(I)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and ^(J)Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ Just as I urged you ^[b]upon my departure for ^(K)Macedonia, to remain on at ^(L)Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to ^(M)teach strange doctrines, ⁴ nor to ^[c]pay attention to ^(N)myths and endless ^(O)genealogies, which give rise to useless ^(P)speculation rather than ^(Q)advance ^[d]the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now. ⁵ But the goal of our ^[e](R)instruction is love ^(S)from a pure heart, from a ^(T)good conscience, and from a sincere ^(U)faith. ⁶ Some people have strayed from these things and have turned aside to ^(V)fruitless discussion, ^7 (W)wanting to be ^(X)teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

⁸ But we know that ^(Y)the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ realizing the fact that ^(Z)law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and ^(AA)rebellious, for the ^(AB)ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and ^(AC)worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the ^[f](AD)sexually immoral, ^(AE)homosexuals, ^[g](AF)slave traders, ^(AG)liars, ^(AH)perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to ^(AI)sound teaching, ¹¹ according to ^(AJ)the glorious gospel of ^(AK)the blessed God, with which I have been ^(AL)entrusted.

Paul’s Testimony

¹² I thank ^(AM)Christ Jesus our Lord, who has ^(AN)strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, ^(AO)putting me into service, ¹³ even though I was previously a blasphemer and a ^(AP)persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was ^(AQ)shown mercy because ^(AR)I acted ignorantly in unbelief; ¹⁴ and the ^(AS)grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the ^(AT)faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. ^15 (AU)It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that ^(AV)Christ Jesus came into the world to ^(AW)save sinners, among whom ^(AX)I am foremost. ¹⁶ Yet for this reason I ^(AY)found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might ^(AZ)demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those ^[h]who would believe in Him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the ^(BA)King ^[i]eternal, ^(BB)immortal, ^(BC)invisible, the ^(BD)only God, ^(BE)be honor and glory ^[j]forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This ^(BF)command I entrust to you, Timothy, ^(BG)my ^[k]son, in accordance with the ^(BH)prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you ^(BI)fight the good fight, ¹⁹ keeping ^(BJ)faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to ^[l](BK)their faith. ^20 [m]Among these are ^(BL)Hymenaeus and ^(BM)Alexander, whom I have ^(BN)handed over to Satan, so that they will be ^(BO)taught not to blaspheme.

A Call to Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that ^(BP)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, ^2 (BQ)for kings and all who are in ^[n]authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and ^[o]dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of ^(BR)God our Savior, ^4 (BS)who wants all people to be ^(BT)saved and to ^(BU)come to the ^[p]knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is ^(BV)one God, and ^(BW)one mediator also between God and mankind, the ^(BX)man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who ^(BY)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ^(BZ)testimony ^[q]given at ^[r](CA)the proper time. ^7 (CB)For this I was appointed as a ^[s]preacher and ^(CC)an apostle (^(CD)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of ^(CE)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

⁸ Therefore ^(CF)I want the men ^(CG)in every place to pray, ^(CH)lifting up ^(CI)holy hands, without anger and dispute. ⁹ Likewise, I want ^(CJ)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, ^[t]modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. ^11 (CK)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. ^12 (CL)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. ^13 (CM)For it was Adam who was first ^[u]created, and then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but ^(CN)the woman was ^[v]deceived and ^[w]became a wrongdoer. ¹⁵ But ^[x]women will be ^[y]preserved through ^[z]childbirth—if they continue in ^(CO)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.

Overseers and Deacons

3 ^(CP)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the ^(CQ)office of ^[aa]overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. ^2 [ab](CR)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, ^(CS)the husband of one wife, ^[ac](CT)temperate, self-controlled, respectable, ^(CU)hospitable, ^(CV)skillful in teaching, ^3 (CW)not overindulging in wine, not ^[ad]a bully, but gentle, not contentious, ^(CX)free from the love of money. ⁴ He must be one who ^(CY)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity ⁵ (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of ^(CZ)the church of God?), ⁶ and not a new convert, so that he will not become ^(DA)conceited and fall into ^(DB)condemnation ^[ae]incurred by the devil. ⁷ And he must ^(DC)have a good reputation with ^(DD)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into ^[af]disgrace and ^(DE)the snare of the devil.

^8 (DF)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not ^[ag]insincere, ^(DG)not prone to drink much wine, ^(DH)not greedy for money, ^9 (DI)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ^10 (DJ)These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ^11 [ah]Women must likewise be dignified, ^(DK)not malicious gossips, but ^[ai](DL)temperate, faithful in all things. ^12 (DM)Deacons must be ^(DN)husbands of one wife, and ^[aj](DO)good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons ^(DP)obtain for themselves a ^[ak]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; ¹⁵ but ^[al]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in ^(DQ)the household of God, which is the ^(DR)church of ^(DS)the living God, the ^(DT)pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond question, great is ^(DU)the mystery of godliness:

Abandonment of Faith

4 But ^(EB)the Spirit explicitly says that ^(EC)in later times some will ^[ao]fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^(ED)deceitful spirits and ^(EE)teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^(EF)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, ³ who ^(EG)forbid marriage and advocate ^(EH)abstaining from foods which ^(EI)God has created to be ^(EJ)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(EK)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(EL)received with gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of ^(EM)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶ In pointing out these things to ^(EN)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good ^(EO)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^(EP)good doctrine which you ^(EQ)have been following. ⁷ But ^[ap]stay away from ^(ER)worthless ^(ES)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, ^[aq]discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(ET)godliness; ⁸ for ^(EU)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but ^(EV)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it ^(EW)holds promise for the ^(EX)present life and also for the life to come. ^9 (EY)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set ^(EZ)our hope on ^(FA)the living God, who is ^(FB)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

^11 [ar](FC)Prescribe and teach these things. ^12 (FD)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(FE)love, faith, and purity, show yourself ^(FF)an example ^[as]of those who believe. ^13 (FG)Until I come, give your attention to the public ^[at](FH)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of ^(FI)prophecy with ^(FJ)the laying on of hands by the ^[au](FK)council of elders. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ^16 (FL)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(FM)save both yourself and those who hear you.

Honor Widows

5 ^(FN)Do not sharply rebuke an ^(FO)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to ^(FP)the younger men as brothers, ² to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are actually ^(FQ)widows; ⁴ but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ^(FR)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is ^(FS)acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ Now she who is actually a ^(FT)widow and has been left alone ^(FU)has set her hope on God, and she continues in ^(FV)requests and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who ^(FW)indulges herself in luxury is ^(FX)dead, even while she lives. ^7 [av](FY)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has ^(FZ)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ A widow is to be ^(GA)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been ^(GB)the wife of one man, ¹⁰ having a reputation for ^(GC)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has ^(GD)shown hospitality to strangers, if she ^(GE)has washed the ^[aw]saints’ feet, if she has ^(GF)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel ^(GG)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, ¹² thereby incurring condemnation, because they have ^[ax]ignored their previous pledge. ¹³ At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become ^(GH)gossips and ^(GI)busybodies, talking about ^(GJ)things not proper to mention. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger widows to get ^(GK)married, have children, ^(GL)manage their households, and ^(GM)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; ¹⁵ for some ^(GN)have already turned away to follow ^(GO)Satan. ¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer ^(GP)has dependent widows, she must ^(GQ)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually ^(GR)widows.

Concerning Elders

^17 (GS)The elders who ^(GT)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who ^(GU)work hard ^[ay]at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “^(GV)You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “^(GW)The laborer is worthy of his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not accept an accusation against an ^(GX)elder except on the basis of ^(GY)two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who continue in sin, ^(GZ)rebuke in the presence of all, ^(HA)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. ^21 (HB)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. ^22 (HC)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and ^[az]thereby share ^(HD)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself ^[ba]free from sin.

²³ Do not go on drinking only water, but ^(HE)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

²⁴ The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins ^(HF)follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and ^(HG)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Instructions to Those Who Minister

6 ^(HH)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor ^(HI)so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be ^[bb]spoken against. ² Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are ^(HJ)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who ^[bc]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. ^(HK)Teach and ^[bd]preach these principles.

³ If anyone ^(HL)advocates a different doctrine and does not ^[be]agree with ^(HM)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine ^(HN)conforming to godliness, ⁴ he is ^(HO)conceited and understands nothing; but he ^[bf]has a sick craving for ^(HP)controversial questions and ^(HQ)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between ^(HR)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who ^(HS)suppose that ^[bg]godliness is a means of gain. ^6 (HT)But godliness actually is a means of ^(HU)great gain when accompanied by ^(HV)contentment. ⁷ For ^(HW)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. ⁸ If we ^(HX)have food and ^[bh]covering, with these we shall be content. ^9 (HY)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and ^(HZ)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For ^(IA)the love of money is a root of all ^[bi]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have ^(IB)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many ^[bj]griefs.

¹¹ But ^(IC)flee from these things, you ^(ID)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, ^(IE)faith, ^(IF)love, ^[bk]perseverance, and gentleness. ^12 (IG)Fight the good fight of ^(IH)faith; ^(II)take hold of the eternal life ^(IJ)to which you were called, and for which you made the good ^(IK)confession in the presence of ^(IL)many witnesses. ^13 (IM)I direct you in the presence of God, who ^[bl]gives life to all things, and of ^(IN)Christ Jesus, who testified the ^(IO)good confession ^(IP)before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without ^[bm]fault or reproach until the ^(IQ)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which He will ^[bn]bring about at ^(IR)the proper time—He who is ^(IS)the blessed and ^(IT)only Sovereign, ^(IU)the King of ^[bo]kings and ^(IV)Lord of ^[bp]lords, ^16 (IW)who alone possesses immortality and ^(IX)dwells in unapproachable light, ^(IY)whom ^[bq]no one has seen or can see. ^(IZ)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in ^(JA)this present world ^(JB)not to be conceited or to ^(JC)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ^(JD)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do good, to be rich in ^(JE)good ^[br]works, ^(JF)to be generous and ready to share, ^19 (JG)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may ^(JH)take hold of that which is truly life.

^20 (JI)Timothy, protect ^(JJ)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding ^(JK)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— ²¹ which some have professed and thereby have ^(JL)gone astray ^[bs]from ^(JM)the faith.

^(JN)Grace be with you.

Timothy Charged to Guard His Trust

1 Paul, ^(A)an apostle of ^(B)Christ Jesus ^[a](C)by the will of God, according to the promise of ^(D)life in Christ Jesus,

² To ^(E)Timothy, my beloved ^[b](F)son: ^(G)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

^3 (H)I thank God, whom I ^(I)serve with a ^(J)clear conscience ^[c]the way my forefathers did, ^(K)as I constantly remember you in my ^[d]prayers night and day, ^4 (L)longing to see you, ^(M)even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. ^5 [e]For I am mindful of the ^(N)sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and ^(O)your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh ^(P)the gift of God which is in you through ^(Q)the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a ^(R)spirit of ^[f]timidity, but of power and love and ^[g]discipline.

⁸ Therefore ^(S)do not be ashamed of the ^(T)testimony of our Lord or of me ^(U)His prisoner, but join with me in ^(V)suffering for the ^(W)gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who ^(X)saved us and ^(Y)called us with a holy ^(Z)calling, ^(AA)not according to our works, but according to His own ^(AB)purpose and grace, which was granted to us in ^(AC)Christ Jesus from ^(AD)all eternity, ¹⁰ but has ^(AE)now been revealed by the ^(AF)appearing of our Savior ^(AG)Christ Jesus, who ^(AH)abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ^11 (AI)for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; but ^(AJ)I am not ashamed, for I know ^(AK)whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to ^(AL)protect what I have entrusted to Him ^[h]until ^(AM)that day. ^13 (AN)Hold on to the ^(AO)example of ^(AP)sound words ^(AQ)which you have heard from me, in the ^(AR)faith and love which are in ^(AS)Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Protect, through the Holy Spirit who ^(AT)dwells in us, the ^[i](AU)treasure which has been entrusted to you.

¹⁵ You are aware of the fact that all who are in ^[j](AV)Asia ^(AW)turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to ^(AX)the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and ^(AY)was not ashamed of my ^[k](AZ)chains; ¹⁷ but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— ¹⁸ the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on ^(BA)that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at ^(BB)Ephesus.

Be Strong

2 You therefore, my ^[l](BC)son, ^(BD)be strong in the grace that is in ^(BE)Christ Jesus. ² The things ^(BF)which you have heard from me in the presence of ^(BG)many witnesses, ^(BH)entrust these to ^(BI)faithful ^[m]people who will be ^(BJ)able to teach others also. ^3 (BK)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(BL)soldier of ^(BM)Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service ^(BN)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise ^(BO)competes as an athlete, he is not ^[n]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ^6 (BP)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(BQ)risen from the dead, ^(BR)descendant of David, ^(BS)according to my gospel, ^9 [o]for which I ^(BT)suffer hardship even to ^(BU)imprisonment as a ^(BV)criminal; but ^(BW)the word of God ^(BX)is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason ^(BY)I endure all things for ^(BZ)the sake of ^[p]those who are chosen, ^(CA)so that they also may obtain the ^(CB)salvation which is in ^(CC)Christ Jesus and with it ^(CD)eternal glory. ^11 (CE)The statement is trustworthy:

An Unashamed Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(CK)exhort them in the presence of God not to ^(CL)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(CM)present yourself approved to God as a worker who ^[r]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(CN)the word of truth. ¹⁶ But ^(CO)avoid ^(CP)worldly and empty chatter, for ^[s]it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their ^[t]talk will spread like ^[u]gangrene. Among them are ^(CQ)Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that ^(CR)the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing ^(CS)the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(CT)firm foundation of God stands, having this ^(CU)seal: “^(CV)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “^(CW)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and ^(CX)some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^(CY)these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ^(CZ)prepared for every good work. ²² Now ^(DA)flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ^(DB)faith, love, and peace with those who ^(DC)call on the Lord ^(DD)from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant ^(DE)speculations, knowing that they ^(DF)produce ^[v]quarrels. ^24 (DG)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ^(DH)skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ^25 (DI)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ^(DJ)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ^(DK)the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(DL)the snare of the devil, having been ^(DM)held captive ^[w]by him to do his will.