14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but [a]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in (A)the household of God, which is the (B)church of (C)the living God, the (D)pillar and support of the truth. 16 Beyond question, great is (E)the mystery of godliness:

He who was (F)revealed in the flesh,
Was [b](G)vindicated [c]in the Spirit,
(H)Seen by angels,
(I)Proclaimed among the nations,
(J)Believed on in the world,
(K)Taken up in glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
  2. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by

The Mystery of Godliness Described

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. 15 But if I am delayed, I am writing[a] in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay[b] of the truth. 16 And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:

Who was revealed in the flesh,
    was vindicated by[c] the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was proclaimed among the Gentiles[d],
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 The words “I am writing” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause
  2. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or “basis”; or “support”
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or perhaps “in”
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or “nations”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context