² And the things you have heard me say^(A) in the presence of many witnesses^(B) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

¹³ What you heard from me,^(A) keep^(B) as the pattern^(C) of sound teaching,^(D) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.^{(E) 14} Guard^(F) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.^(G)

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^(B)

¹² Fight the good fight^(A) of the faith. Take hold of^(B) the eternal life^(C) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(D) in the presence of many witnesses.

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good^(A)

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete^(B) was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint^[a] elders^(C) in every town, as I directed you. ⁶ An elder must be blameless,^(D) faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe^[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷ Since an overseer^(E) manages God’s household,^(F) he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.^{(G) 8} Rather, he must be hospitable,^(H) one who loves what is good,^(I) who is self-controlled,^(J) upright, holy and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly^(K) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine^(L) and refute those who oppose it.

⁷ “For the lips of a priest^(A) ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger^(B) of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.^(C)

²⁸ Let the prophet who has a dream^(A) recount the dream, but let the one who has my word^(B) speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord.

A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching,^(A) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,^(A) and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,^(B) who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?