1 Timothy 2:1-8

Living Bible

2 Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.

² Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.^{[a] 3} This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: ⁵ That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together, ⁶ by giving his life for all mankind.

This is the message that at the proper time God gave to the world. ⁷ And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as God’s minister and missionary to teach this truth to the Gentiles and to show them God’s plan of salvation through faith.

⁸ So I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment.