1 Timothy 1:1–14

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

2 To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise:

4 Not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which furnish questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith.

6 From which things some, going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling:

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law: understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

9 Knowing this: That the law is not made for the just man but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine:

11 Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God which hath been committed to my trust.

12 I give him thanks who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry:

13 Who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.