Instructions for Timothy in Ephesus

3 Just as I urged you when I* traveled to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus, so that you may instruct certain people not to teach other doctrine, 4 and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a faith without hypocrisy, 6 from which some have deviated, and have turned away into fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the law, although they* do not understand either the things which they are saying or the things concerning which they are speaking confidently.

8 But we know that the law is good, if anyone makes use of it lawfully, 9 knowing this, that the law is not given for a righteous person but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and totally worldly, for the one who kills his father and the one who kills his mother, for murderers, 10 sexually immoral people, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and ⌊whatever⌋a else is opposed to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God that I was entrusted with.

Paul’s Thankfulness for the Mercy Shown to Him

12 ⌊I give thanks⌋b to the one who strengthens me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful, placing me into ministry,c 13 although I* was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, but I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord abounded with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But because of this I was shown mercy, in order that in me foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his total patience, for an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, to the only God, be honor and glory ⌊forever and ever⌋d. Amen.