The Mystery of Godliness

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, ¹⁵ if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. ¹⁶ Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

^6 (A)If you put these things before the brothers,^[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have ^(B)followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, ^(C)silly myths. Rather ^(D)train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while ^(E)bodily training is of some value, godliness ^(F)is of value in every way, as ^(G)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is ^(H)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive,^[b] because we have our hope set on the living God, ^(I)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach ^(J)these things. ^12 (K)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers ^(L)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ^14 (M)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you ^(N)by prophecy when the council of elders ^(O)laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,^[c] so that ^(P)all may see your progress. ^16 (Q)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save ^(R)both yourself and ^(S)your hearers.