³ Just as I urged you ^[a]upon my departure for ^(A)Macedonia, to remain on at ^(B)Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to ^(C)teach strange doctrines, ⁴ nor to ^[b]pay attention to ^(D)myths and endless ^(E)genealogies, which give rise to useless ^(F)speculation rather than ^(G)advance ^[c]the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now. ⁵ But the goal of our ^[d](H)instruction is love ^(I)from a pure heart, from a ^(J)good conscience, and from a sincere ^(K)faith.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

⁶ In pointing out these things to ^(A)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good ^(B)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^(C)good doctrine which you ^(D)have been following. ⁷ But ^[a]stay away from ^(E)worthless ^(F)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, ^[b]discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(G)godliness; ⁸ for ^(H)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but ^(I)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it ^(J)holds promise for the ^(K)present life and also for the life to come. ^9 (L)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set ^(M)our hope on ^(N)the living God, who is ^(O)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

^11 [c](P)Prescribe and teach these things. ^12 (Q)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(R)love, faith, and purity, show yourself ^(S)an example ^[d]of those who believe. ^13 (T)Until I come, give your attention to the public ^[e](U)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of ^(V)prophecy with ^(W)the laying on of hands by the ^[f](X)council of elders. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ^16 (Y)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(Z)save both yourself and those who hear you.

³ If anyone ^(A)advocates a different doctrine and does not ^[a]agree with ^(B)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine ^(C)conforming to godliness, ⁴ he is ^(D)conceited and understands nothing; but he ^[b]has a sick craving for ^(E)controversial questions and ^(F)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between ^(G)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who ^(H)suppose that ^[c]godliness is a means of gain. ^6 (I)But godliness actually is a means of ^(J)great gain when accompanied by ^(K)contentment. ⁷ For ^(L)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either.

^20 (A)Timothy, protect ^(B)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding ^(C)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— ²¹ which some have professed and thereby have ^(D)gone astray ^[a]from ^(E)the faith.

^(F)Grace be with you.