A Call to Prayer

First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people,

for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth.

who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone] for all, the testimony given at the right and proper time.

A woman must quietly receive instruction with all submissiveness.

I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [in the congregation].

He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved]

Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.

It is for this that we labor and strive [often called to account], because we have fixed our [confident] hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe [in Him, recognize Him as the Son of God, and accept Him as Savior and Lord].

Practice and work hard on these things; be absorbed in them [completely occupied in your ministry], so that your progress will be evident to all.

to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters, in all purity [being careful to maintain appropriate relationships].

If any believing woman has [dependent] widows [in her household], she must assist them [according to her ability]; and the church must not be burdened [with them], so that it may assist those who are truly widows [those who are all alone and are dependent].

As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will be warned.

Instructions to Those Who Minister

All who are under the yoke as bond-servants (slaves) are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor and respect so that the name of God and the teaching [about Him] will not be spoken against.

For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and [in the presence] of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession [in His testimony] before Pontius Pilate,

to keep all His precepts without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,