A Call to Prayer

First of all, then, I urge that (A)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, (B)for kings and all who are in [a]authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and [b]dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of (C)God our Savior, (D)who wants all people to be (E)saved and to (F)come to the [c]knowledge of the truth. For there is (G)one God, and (H)one mediator also between God and mankind, the (I)man Christ Jesus, who (J)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the (K)testimony [d]given at [e](L)the proper time. (M)For this I was appointed as a [f]preacher and (N)an apostle ((O)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of (P)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

Therefore (Q)I want the men (R)in every place to pray, (S)lifting up (T)holy hands, without anger and dispute. Likewise, I want (U)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, [g]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 (V)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 (W)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 (X)For it was Adam who was first [h]created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but (Y)the woman was [i]deceived and [j]became a wrongdoer. 15 But [k]women will be [l]preserved through [m]childbirth—if they continue in (Z)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 2:2 Or a high position
  2. 1 Timothy 2:2 Or seriousness
  3. 1 Timothy 2:4 Or recognition
  4. 1 Timothy 2:6 Or to be given
  5. 1 Timothy 2:6 Lit its own times
  6. 1 Timothy 2:7 Or herald
  7. 1 Timothy 2:9 Lit with modesty
  8. 1 Timothy 2:13 Or formed
  9. 1 Timothy 2:14 Or thoroughly deceived
  10. 1 Timothy 2:14 Lit has become
  11. 1 Timothy 2:15 Lit she
  12. 1 Timothy 2:15 Or saved
  13. 1 Timothy 2:15 Or the childbirth; or the bearing of children

Prayer and Submission to Authority

First of all, then, I urge you to offer to God[a] petitions, prayers, intercessions, and expressions of thanks for all people, for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity.[b] This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully. There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and human beings—a human, the Messiah[c] Jesus. He gave himself as a ransom for everyone, the testimony at the proper time. For this reason I was appointed to be an announcer, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the gentiles. (I am telling you the truth.[d] I am not lying.)

Instructions to Men and Women

Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without being angry or argumentative. Women, for their part, should display their beauty by dressing modestly and decently in appropriate clothes, not with elaborate hairstyles or by wearing gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but through good actions. This is proper for women who claim to revere God.

11 Let a woman learn with a quiet spirit, and submissively. 12 Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve, 14 and it was not Adam who was deceived. It was the woman who was deceived and became disobedient, 15 even though she will be saved through the birth of the Child,[e] if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, along with good judgment.[f]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 2:1 The Gk. lacks to God
  2. 1 Timothy 2:2 Or seriousness
  3. 1 Timothy 2:5 Or Christ
  4. 1 Timothy 2:7 Other mss. read the truth in the Messiah
  5. 1 Timothy 2:15 I.e. through the redemptive work of the incarnation; or through childbearing
  6. 1 Timothy 2:15 Or modesty