Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope:

To Timothy, my own son in the faith:

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

As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus; that you might insist certain people teach no other doctrine, nor accomodate to fables and endless genealogies which cause controversy and not godly edifying through faith.

The end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and non-fake faith....from which certain people - having missed the mark - have turned away to vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say nor whatever they confidently affirm.

We know that the law is good - if a human uses it lawfully - knowing this: the law does not apply against the righteous, but instead against the lawless and disobedient, against the ungodly and sinners, unholy and profane, against those who kill their fathers or their mothers, against murderers, against fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and any others contrary to acceptable doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I am entrusted.

I first of all therefore urge that every request, prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, be made for all men - for kings and all who are in authority, that we might live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

There is one God and one mediator also between God and men: the man Christ Jesus - who gave himself a ransom for all - to be testified of in due time, of whom I was ordained a preacher and an apostle - (I speak the truth: I lie not) - a teacher of nations in faith and truth.

I therefore want men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Likewise that women adorn themselves in decent apparel, with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, nor gold, pearls, or costly clothing....but (which is fitting for women professing godliness) with good works.

Have women learn in silence with all subjection. I do not allow any woman to teach nor have authority over men, but to be in silence. Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman - being deceived - transgressed. Yet women shall be saved by childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with sobriety.

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the office of bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop must be blameless - the husband of one wife - vigilant, prudent, of good behavior, hospitable, apt to teach, not addicted to wine, no striker, not desirous of greedy gain, but gentle, patient, not loving money, ruling his own household well, having his children in subjection with all seriousness, because if a man knows not how to rule his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? And he must not be a recent convert, so that - being puffed up - he falls into the condemnation of the devil. He ought also to have a good report from those outside, so that he does not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise, deacons must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to wine nor desiring greedy gain -- holding fast the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Let them be proven first, then let them minister, being blameless. Similarly, their wives must be serious, not slanderers, vigilant, faithful in all things. Have a deacon be the husband of one wife, ruling his children and his own household well, so that he discharges the office of a deacon well, obtaining for himself good standing and much boldness in faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Do not criticize an aged man, but urge him as a father, younger men as brothers, aged women as mothers, younger women as sisters.....with all purity. Honor widows who are genuine widows. If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them show respect at home and care for their parents, because this is good and acceptable to God.

If anyone does not provide for those of his own family, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Refuse younger widows, because when they have gotten wanton against Christ, they want to marry - incurring condemnation for having rejected their first faith - and become idle, roaming around from house to house.... not only idle, but triflers and busybodies, speaking what they ought not to. I therefore want younger women to marry, bear children, guide the family, give no cause for the adversary to condemn, because some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing man or woman has widows, let them assist such, so the church is not burdened, that the church might aid those who are qualifying widows indeed.

Observe these things without prejudging, doing nothing by partiality. Do not get involved with sins of others; keep yourself pure. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and frequent ailments.