II. Sound Teaching

Warning Against False Doctrine. ^3 [a]I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia,^(A) that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines ^4 [b]or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith.^{(B) 5} The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.^{(C) 6} Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk,^{(D) 7} wanting to be teachers of the law, but without understanding either what they are saying or what they assert with such assurance.

^8 [c]We know that the law is good, provided that one uses it as law,^{(E) 9} with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, ¹⁰ the unchaste, sodomites,^[d] kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching,^{(F) 11} according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.^(G)

Gratitude for God’s Mercy.^[e]

Chapter 4

False Asceticism.^{[a] 1} Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions^{(A) 2} through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences. ³ They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.^{(B) 4} For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving,^{(C) 5} for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.^[b]

³ Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching^{(A) 4} is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, ⁵ and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.^{(B) 6 [a]}Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.^{(C) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.^{(D) 8} If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.^{(E) 9} Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.^{(F) 10} For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

Exhortations to Timothy.^{[b] 11} But you, man of God,^[c] avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.^{(G) 12} Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.^{(H) 13} I charge [you] before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession,^{(I) 14} to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ ¹⁵ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords,^{(J) 16} who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.^(K)

Right Use of Wealth.^[d]