Sound Teaching and Christian Living

2 But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching.^{(A) 2} Older men^(B) are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love,^(C) and endurance. ³ In the same way, older women^(D) are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission^(E) to their husbands, so that God’s word^(F) will not be slandered.

⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men^(G) to be self-controlled ⁷ in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity^[a] in your teaching. ⁸ Your message is to be sound beyond reproach,^(H) so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

⁹ Slaves are to submit to their masters^(I) in everything, and to be well-pleasing,^(J) not talking back ¹⁰ or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior^(K) in everything.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation^[b] for all people,^{(L) 12} instructing us to deny godlessness^(M) and worldly lusts^(N) and to live in a sensible, righteous,^(O) and godly^(P) way in the present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope,^(Q) the appearing of the glory^(R) of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us^(S) to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession,^(T) eager to do good works.

¹⁵ Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard^[c] you.