1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of Goda our Saviorb and of Christ Jesus our hope,c

2 To Timothyd my true sone in the faith:

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

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,g stay there in Ephesush so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrinesi any longer 4 or to devote themselves to mythsj and endless genealogies.k Such things promote controversial speculationsl rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heartm and a good consciencen and a sincere faith.o 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachersp of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.q

8 We know that the law is goodr if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteouss but for lawbreakers and rebels,t the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrineu 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.v

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,w that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.x 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutory and a violent man, I was shown mercyz because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.a 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,b along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.c

15 Here is a trustworthy sayingd that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnerse—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercyf so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patienceg as an example for those who would believeh in him and receive eternal life.i 17 Now to the Kingj eternal, immortal,k invisible,l the only God,m be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.n

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

18 Timothy, my son,o I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,p so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,q 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience,r which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.s 20 Among them are Hymenaeust and Alexander,u whom I have handed over to Satanv to be taught not to blaspheme.