Paul,
an apostle
of Jesus Christ
by the commandment
of God our Saviour,
and Lord Jesus Christ,
which is our hope;
Unto Timothy,
my own son
in the faith:
Grace,
mercy,
and peace,
from God our Father
and Jesus Christ
our Lord.
As I
besought
thee
to abide still
at Ephesus,
when
I went into Macedonia,
that thou
mightest charge some that
they teach
no other doctrine,
Neither give
heed
to fables
and endless genealogies,
which minister questions,
rather than godly edifying which
is in faith:
so do.
Now
the end
of the commandment
is charity
out of a pure heart,
and
of a good conscience,
and
of faith unfeigned:
From which some
having swerved
have turned aside
unto vain jangling;
Desiring
to be teachers
of the law;
understanding neither
what they say,
nor whereof
they affirm.
But
we know
that the law
is good,
if a man
use it lawfully;
Knowing this,
that the law
is not made
for a righteous man,
but for the lawless
and disobedient,
for the ungodly
and for sinners,
for unholy
and profane,
for murderers
of fathers
and murderers
of mothers,
for manslayers,
For whoremongers,
for them that
defile themselves
with mankind,
for menstealers,
for liars,
for perjured persons,
and if
there be
any other thing
that is contrary
to sound doctrine;
According to
the glorious gospel
of the blessed God,
which was committed
to my trust.
And
I thank Christ Jesus
our Lord,
who hath enabled me,
for that
he counted me faithful,
putting me
into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer,
and a persecutor,
and injurious:
but
I obtained mercy,
because
I did it
ignorantly in unbelief.
And
the grace
of our Lord
was exceeding abundant
with faith
and love which
is in Christ Jesus.
This is a faithful saying,
and worthy
of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus
came
into the world
to save sinners;
of whom
I am chief.
Howbeit
for this cause
I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ
might shew
forth all longsuffering,
for a pattern
to them which
should hereafter believe
on him
to life everlasting.
Now unto the King eternal,
immortal,
invisible,
the only wise God,
be honour
and glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
This charge
I commit
unto thee,
son Timothy,
according to
the prophecies
which went before
on thee,
that thou
by them mightest war
a good warfare;
Holding faith,
and a good conscience;
which some
having put away concerning
faith have made
shipwreck:
Of whom is Hymenaeus
and Alexander;
whom
I have delivered
unto Satan,
that they
may learn not
to blaspheme.
I exhort therefore,
that,
first of all,
supplications,
prayers,
intercessions,
and giving
of thanks,
be made
for all men;
For kings,
and for all
that are in authority;
that we
may lead
a quiet
and peaceable life
in all godliness
and honesty.
For this
is good
and acceptable
in the sight
of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men
to be saved,
and to come
unto the knowledge
of the truth.
For there is one God,
and one mediator
between God
and men,
the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom
for all,
to be testified
in due time.
Whereunto
I am ordained
a preacher,
and an apostle,
(I speak
the truth
in Christ,
and lie not;)
a teacher
of the Gentiles
in faith and verity.
I will therefore
that men
pray every where,
lifting
up holy hands,
without wrath
and doubting.
In like manner also,
that women
adorn themselves
in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness
and sobriety;
not with broided hair,
or gold,
or pearls,
or costly array;
But
(which
becometh women professing godliness)
with good works.
Let the woman
learn
in silence
with all subjection.
But I
suffer not
a woman
to teach,
nor
to usurp authority
over the man,
but
to be
in silence.
For Adam
was first formed,
then Eve.
And Adam
was not deceived,
but the woman
being deceived
was in the transgression.
Notwithstanding
she shall be saved
in childbearing,
if they
continue
in faith
and charity
and holiness
with sobriety.
This is a true saying,
If a man
desire the office
of a bishop,
he desireth a good work.
A bishop
then must be blameless,
the husband
of one wife,
vigilant,
sober,
of good behaviour,
given
to hospitality,
apt to teach;
Not given
to wine,
no striker,
not greedy
of filthy lucre;
but patient,
not a brawler,
not covetous;
One that
ruleth well
his own house,
having his children
in subjection
with all gravity;
(For
if a man
know not how
to rule
his own house,
how shall
he take care of
the church
of God?)
Not a novice,
lest
being lifted up
with pride
he fall
into the condemnation
of the devil.
Moreover he
must have
a good report
of them
which are without;
lest
he fall
into reproach
and the snare
of the devil.
Likewise must
the deacons
be grave,
not doubletongued,
not given
to much wine,
not greedy
of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery
of the faith
in a pure conscience.
And let
these also first be proved;
then let them
use the office
of a deacon,
being found blameless.
Even so
must their wives
be grave,
not slanderers,
sober,
faithful
in all things.
Let the deacons
be the husbands
of one wife,
ruling their children
and their own
houses well.
For they
that
have used the office
of a deacon
well purchase
to themselves
a good degree,
and great boldness
in the faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
These things
write
I unto thee,
hoping to come
unto thee shortly:
But
if I
tarry long,
that thou
mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself
in the house
of God,
which is the church
of the living God,
the pillar
and ground
of the truth.
And
without controversy great
is the mystery
of godliness:
God was
manifest
in the flesh,
justified
in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached
unto the Gentiles,
believed on
in the world,
received up
into glory.
Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times
some shall depart
from the faith,
giving
heed
to seducing spirits,
and doctrines
of devils;
Speaking
lies
in hypocrisy;
having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
Forbidding
to marry,
and commanding
to abstain
from meats,
which God
hath created
to be received
with thanksgiving
of them which
believe
and know
the truth.
For every creature
of God
is good,
and nothing
to be refused,
if it
be received
with thanksgiving:
For it
is sanctified by the word
of God and prayer.
If thou put
the brethren
in remembrance
of these things,
thou shalt be
a good minister
of Jesus Christ,
nourished up
in the words
of faith
and of good doctrine,
whereunto
thou hast attained.
But refuse
profane
and old wives' fables,
and exercise thyself rather
unto godliness.
For bodily exercise
profiteth little:
but godliness
is profitable
unto all things,
having
promise
of the life
that now is,
and of that which
is to come.
This is
a faithful saying
and worthy
of all acceptation.
For therefore
we both labour
and suffer
reproach,
because
we trust
in the living God,
who is the Saviour
of all men,
specially of those
that believe.
These things
command and teach.
Let
no man
despise thy youth;
but be
thou an example
of the believers,
in word,
in conversation,
in charity,
in spirit,
in faith,
in purity.
Till I come,
give attendance
to reading,
to exhortation,
to doctrine.
Neglect
not the gift
that is in thee,
which was given thee
by prophecy,
with the laying on
of the hands
of the presbytery.
Meditate
upon these things;
give thyself wholly to them;
that thy
profiting
may appear
to all.
Take
heed
unto thyself,
and
unto the doctrine;
continue in them:
for in doing this
thou shalt both save thyself,
and them that
hear thee.
Rebuke
not an elder,
but intreat him
as a father;
and the younger men
as brethren;
The elder women
as mothers;
the younger
as sisters,
with all purity.
Honour widows
that are widows indeed.
But
if any widow
have children
or nephews,
let them
learn first
to shew piety at home,
and
to requite their parents:
for that is
good
and acceptable
before God.
Now she
that is
a widow indeed,
and desolate,
trusteth in God,
and continueth in supplications
and prayers
night and day.
But she
that
liveth in pleasure
is dead
while she liveth.
And these things
give in charge,
that they
may be blameless.
But
if any
provide not
for his own,
and specially for those
of his own house,
he hath denied
the faith,
and is worse
than an infidel.
Let not a widow
be taken
into the number
under threescore years old,
having been the wife
of one man.
Well reported of
for good works;
if she
have brought
up children,
if she
have lodged strangers,
if she
have washed
the saints' feet,
if she
have relieved
the afflicted,
if she
have diligently followed
every good work.
But the younger widows refuse:
for when
they have begun
to wax wanton
against Christ,
they will marry;
Having damnation,
because
they have cast
off their first faith.
And withal
they learn
to be idle,
wandering about
from house to house;
and not only idle,
but tattlers
also and busybodies,
speaking things
which they ought not.
I will therefore
that the younger women marry,
bear children,
guide the house,
give none occasion
to the adversary
to speak reproachfully.
For some
are already turned aside
after Satan.
If any man
or woman
that believeth
have widows,
let them
relieve them,
and let not
the church
be charged;
that it
may relieve them
that are widows indeed.
Let the elders
that rule
well be counted
worthy of double honour,
especially
they
who labour
in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith,
Thou
shalt not muzzle
the ox
that treadeth
out the corn.
And,
The labourer
is worthy
of his reward.
Against an elder
receive not
an accusation,
but before two
or three witnesses.
Them that sin
rebuke
before all,
that others
also may fear.
I charge thee
before God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the elect angels,
that thou
observe these things
without preferring one
before another,
doing nothing
by partiality.
Lay hands
suddenly
on no man,
neither be partaker
of other men's sins:
keep thyself pure.
Drink no longer water,
but use
a little wine
for thy
stomach's sake and thine
often infirmities.
Some men's sins
are open beforehand,
going before
to judgment;
and some men
they
follow after.
Likewise
also the good works
of some
are manifest beforehand;
and they
that are
otherwise cannot be hid.
Let
as many servants as
are under the yoke
count their own
masters worthy
of all honour,
that the name
of God
and his doctrine
be not blasphemed.
And
they that
have believing masters,
let them
not despise them,
because
they are brethren;
but rather do them service,
because
they are
faithful
and beloved,
partakers
of the benefit.
These things
teach and exhort.
If any man
teach otherwise,
and consent not
to wholesome words,
even the words
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and
to the doctrine
which is according to
godliness;
He is proud,
knowing nothing,
but doting
about questions
and strifes
of words,
whereof cometh envy,
strife,
railings,
evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings
of men
of corrupt minds,
and destitute
of the truth,
supposing
that gain
is godliness:
from such
withdraw thyself.
But godliness
with contentment
is great gain.
For we
brought nothing
into this world,
and it
is certain
we can carry nothing out.
And having food
and raiment let us
be therewith content.
But they
that will be rich fall
into temptation
and a snare,
and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts,
which drown men
in destruction
and perdition.
For the love
of money
is the root
of all evil:
which while some coveted after,
they have erred
from the faith,
and pierced themselves
through
with many sorrows.
But thou,
O man of God,
flee these things;
and follow
after righteousness,
godliness,
faith,
love,
patience,
meekness.
Fight the good fight
of faith,
lay hold on
eternal life,
whereunto
thou art
also called,
and hast professed
a good profession
before many witnesses.
I give thee charge
in the sight
of God,
who quickeneth all things,
and
before Christ Jesus,
who before Pontius Pilate
witnessed
a good confession;
That thou
keep this commandment
without spot,
unrebukable,
until the appearing
of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Which in his times
he shall shew,
who is the blessed
and only Potentate,
the King
of kings,
and Lord
of lords;
Who only hath
immortality,
dwelling
in the light which no man
can approach unto;
whom no man
hath seen,
nor can see:
to whom
be honour
and power everlasting.
Amen.
Charge them that
are rich in
this world,
that they
be not highminded,
nor trust
in uncertain riches,
but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all
things
to enjoy;
That they
do good,
that they
be
rich in good works,
ready
to distribute,
willing
to communicate;
Laying up
in store
for themselves
a good foundation
against the time
to come,
that they
may lay
hold on
eternal life.
O Timothy,
keep that
which is committed
to thy trust,
avoiding profane
and vain babblings,
and oppositions
of science falsely so called:
Which some professing
have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be
with thee.
Amen.