Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

² To Timothy, my true son in the faith:

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

Warning Against False Doctrine

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, continue to remain at Ephesus so that you might command some to teach no other doctrine, ⁴ nor pay attention to fables and endless genealogies, which cause debates rather than godly edifying, which is in faith. ⁵ Now the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, and from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. ⁶ From this, some have lost their way and turned aside to empty talk, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, and understanding neither what they say nor what they affirm.

⁸ But we know that the law is good if someone uses it lawfully. ⁹ And we know that the law is not given for a righteous person, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and the profane, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for sodomites, for slave traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Thankfulness for Mercy

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful and appointed me to the ministry. ¹³ I was previously a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an insolent man. But I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord overflowed with the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, first, Jesus Christ might show all patience, as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the eternal, immortal, invisible King, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

¹⁸ This command I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies that were previously given to you, that by them you might fight a good fight, ¹⁹ keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. ²⁰ Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Instructions Concerning Prayer

2 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, ² for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty, ³ for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom for all. This was the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or contentiousness. ⁹ In like manner also, that women clothe themselves in modest clothing, with decency and self-control, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, ¹⁰ but with good works, which is proper for women professing godliness.

¹¹ Let a woman learn in silence with all obedience. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to usurp authority over a man, but to be silent. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, fell into sin. ¹⁵ Yet she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.