1 Timothy 1:12–3:7

12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me power, that he has counted me faithful, appointing to ministry him 13  who before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing man: but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief. 14  But the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. 15  Faithful is the word, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. 16  But for this reason mercy was shewn me, that in me, the first, Jesus Christ might display the whole long-suffering, for a delineation of those about to believe on him to life eternal. 17  Now to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, honour and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.

18  This charge, my child Timotheus, I commit to thee, according to the prophecies as to thee preceding, in order that thou mightest war by them the good warfare, 19  maintaining faith and a good conscience; which last some, having put away, have made shipwreck as to faith; 20  of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may be taught by discipline not to blaspheme.

Chapter 2

1  I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men; 2  for kings and all that are in dignity, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and gravity; 3  for this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God, 4  who desires that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 5  For God is one, and the mediator of God and men one, the man Christ Jesus, 6  who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony to be rendered in its own times; 7  to which I have been appointed a herald and apostle, (I speak the truth, I do not lie,) a teacher of the nations in faith and truth. 8  I will therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up pious hands, without wrath or reasoning.

9  In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not with plaited hair and gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, 10  but, what becomes women making profession of the fear of God, by good works. 11  Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection; 12  but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness; 13  for Adam was formed first, then Eve: 14  and Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been deceived, was in transgression. 15  But she shall be preserved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with discretion.

Chapter 3

1  The word is faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work. 2  The overseer then must be irreproachable, husband of one wife, sober, discreet, decorous, hospitable, apt to teach; 3  not given to excesses from wine, not a striker, but mild, not addicted to contention, not fond of money, 4  conducting his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5  (but if one does not know how to conduct his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly of God?) 6  not a novice, that he may not, being inflated, fall into the fault of the devil. 7  But it is necessary that he should have also a good testimony from those without, that he may fall not into reproach and the snare of the devil.