Book of Common Prayer

He exhorts Timothy to attend to his office; namely, to see that nothing is taught but God’s word, etc. He shows also for what the law is good, and tells this sweet and glad tidings: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope.

² To Timothy, his true-born son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ As I besought you to continue in Ephesus when I departed into Macedonia, so do, and direct certain men to teach no other way, ⁴ neither to give heed to legends and genealogies, which are endless and breed doubts more than godly edifying, which is by faith. ⁵ For the end of the commandment is love that comes of a pure heart and a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned – ⁶ from which things some have erred, and have turned to vain prattle, ⁷ because they want to be teachers of the scripture and yet do not understand what they speak, nor the things they assert.

⁸ We know that the law is good if one abides by it lawfully, ⁹ understanding that the law is not given for a righteous person, but for the unrighteous and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and unclean, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers ¹⁰ and whoremongers, for those who defile themselves with menkind, for kidnappers, for liars and perjurers, and so forth, if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome precept, ¹¹ according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which gospel is committed to me.

¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has made me strong. For he counted me true and put me in office, ¹³ when before I was a blasphemer and a persecutor, and full of violence. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, through unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord abounded more greatly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This is a true saying, and by all means worthy to be received: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ But notwithstanding, mercy was given to me, so that Jesus Christ could first show on me all long patience, as an example for those who will in time to come believe on him unto eternal life. ¹⁷ So then, to God the King everlasting, immortal, invisible, and alone wise, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Of the Galileans whom Pilate slew, and of those that died in Siloam. The similitude of the fig tree. Christ heals the sick woman. The parables of the mustard seed and leaven. Few enter into the kingdom. Christ reproves Herod and Jerusalem.

13 There were present at that same time people who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their own sacrifice. ² And Jesus answered and said to them, Do you suppose these Galileans were greater sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such punishment? ³ I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them, do you think they were sinners above all who dwell in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

⁶ He put forth this similitude: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit on it, and found none. ⁷ Then he said to the dresser of his vineyard, Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down. Why is it taking up space on the ground? ⁸ And he answered and said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I dig round about it and dung it to see whether it will bear fruit. ⁹ And if it does not bear then, after that cut it down.