5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. ² And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us,^(A) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³ But sexual immorality^(B) and any impurity^(C) or greed^(D) should not even be heard of^[a] among you, as is proper for saints. ⁴ Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. ⁵ For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral^(E) or impure^(F) or greedy^(G) person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom^(H) of the Messiah and of God.

Light versus Darkness

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath^(I) is coming on the disobedient because of these things.^{[b] 7} Therefore, do not become their partners. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light^(J) in the Lord. Walk as children of light^(K)— ⁹ for the fruit of the light^[c] results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth^(L)— ¹⁰ discerning^(M) what is pleasing^(N) to the Lord. ¹¹ Don’t participate in the fruitless^(O) works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. ¹³ Everything exposed by the light is made clear,^{(P) 14} for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:

Consistency in the Christian Life

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— ¹⁶ making the most of the time,^[e](T) because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand^(U) what the Lord’s will^(V) is. ¹⁸ And don’t get drunk^(W) with wine,^(X) which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:^(Y)

Wives and Husbands

²² Wives,^(AA) submit^[f](AB) to your own husbands^(AC) as to the Lord, ²³ for the husband is the head of the wife^(AD) as Christ is the head^(AE) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.^{(AF) 24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(AG) just as Christ loved^(AH) the church and gave Himself^(AI) for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[g] her with the washing of water by the word. ²⁷ He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.^{(AJ) 28} In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰ since we are members of His body.^[h]

³² This mystery^(AM) is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command^(B) of God our Savior^(C) and of Christ Jesus our hope:^(D)

² To Timothy,^(E) my true son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the^[a] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³ As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,^(F) remain in Ephesus^(G) so that you may instruct certain people^(H) not to teach different doctrine ⁴ or to pay attention to myths^(I) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,^(J) which operates by faith. ⁵ Now the goal of our instruction is love^(K) that comes from a pure heart,^(L) a good conscience,^(M) and a sincere faith.^{(N) 6} Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. ⁸ But we know that the law is good,^(O) provided one uses it legitimately. ⁹ We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,^(P) for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral^(Q) and homosexuals,^(R) for kidnappers,^[b] liars,^(S) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^{(T) 11} based on the glorious gospel^(U) of the blessed God,^(V) which was entrusted to me.^(W)

Paul’s Testimony

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^(X) me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ one who was formerly a blasphemer,^(Y) a persecutor,^(Z) and an arrogant man.^(AA) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy^(AB) and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world^(AC) to save sinners”^(AD)—and I am the worst of them.^{(AE) 16} But I received mercy^(AF) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience^(AG) as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.^{(AH) 17} Now to the King^(AI) eternal,^(AJ) immortal,^(AK) invisible, the only^[c] God,^(AL) be honor^(AM) and glory^(AN) forever and ever. Amen.^(AO)

Engage in Battle

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies^(AP) previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle, ¹⁹ having faith^(AQ) and a good conscience.^(AR) Some^(AS) have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. ²⁰ Hymenaeus^(AT) and Alexander^(AU) are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan,^(AV) so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Final Exhortations

13 Let brotherly love^(A) continue. ² Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.^{(B) 3} Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.^{[a] 4} Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.^{(C) 5} Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.^{(D)[b] 6} Therefore, we may boldly say:

⁷ Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.^{(F) 8} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.^{(G) 9} Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited.^{(H) 10} We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.^{(I) 11} For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest^(J) as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.^{(K) 12} Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate,^(L) so that He might sanctify^[d] the people by His own blood. ¹³ Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace.^{(M) 14} For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.^{(N) 15} Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.^{(O) 16} Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.^{(P) 17} Obey your leaders^[e] and submit to them, for they keep watch^(Q) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. ¹⁸ Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.^{(R) 19} And I especially urge you to pray^[f] that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Farewell

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep^(S)—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,^{(T) 21} equip^[g] you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever.^[h](U) Amen.

²² Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. ²³ Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. ²⁴ Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you. ²⁵ Grace be with all of you.^(V)

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered^[a] in the flesh,^[b] equip^[c] yourselves also with the same resolve^[d]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished^(A) with sin^[e]— ² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,^[f] but for God’s will.^{(B) 3} For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:^[g] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,^(C) drunkenness, orgies,^(D) carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood^[h] of wild living—and they slander you. ⁵ They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(E) 6} For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,^(F) so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly^(G) realm,^[i] they might live^(H) by God in the spiritual realm.^[j]

End-Time Ethics

⁷ Now the end of all things is near;^(I) therefore, be serious and disciplined^(J) for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain an intense love^(K) for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.^{(L)[k] 9} Be hospitable^(M) to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,^(N) as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,^(O) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal^[l] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.^{(P) 13} Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,^(Q) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation^(R) of His glory. ¹⁴ If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(S) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(T) of glory and of God rests on you.^{[m] 15} None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^{[n] 16} But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment^(U) to begin with God’s household,^(V) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

¹⁹ So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves^(X) to a faithful Creator.

2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate^(A) with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. ² He Himself is the propitiation^(B) for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.^(C)

God’s Commands

³ This is how we are sure^(D) that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.^{(E) 4} The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word,^(F) truly in him the love of God is perfected.^[a] This is how we know we are in Him:^{(G) 6} The one who says he remains in Him^(H) should walk just as He walked.

⁷ Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command^(I) but an old command that you have had from the beginning. The old command is the message^(J) you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away^(K) and the true light^(L) is already shining.^(M)

⁹ The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother^(N) is in the darkness until now. ¹⁰ The one who loves his brother^(O) remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.^{[b] 11} But the one who hates his brother^(P) is in the darkness, walks in the darkness,^(Q) and doesn’t know where he’s going,^(R) because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Reasons for Writing

A Warning about the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world^(W) or the things that belong to^[c] the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For everything that belongs to^[d] the world—the lust of the flesh,^(X) the lust of the eyes,^(Y) and the pride^(Z) in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world with its lust is passing away,^(AA) but the one who does God’s will^(AB) remains forever.^(AC)

The Last Hour

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour.^(AD) And as you have heard, “Antichrist^(AE) is coming,” even now many antichrists have come. We know from this that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

²⁰ But you have an anointing^(AF) from the Holy One,^(AG) and all of you have knowledge.^{[e] 21} I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. ²² Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah?^(AH) This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ No one who denies the Son can have the Father;^(AI) he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.^(AJ)

Remaining with God

²⁴ What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son^(AK) and in the Father.^{(AL) 25} And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.^{(AM) 26} I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

²⁷ The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things^(AN) and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him.^(AO)

God’s Children

²⁸ So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears^(AP) we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.^{(AQ) 29} If you know that He is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right^(AR) has been born of Him.^(AS)