1 Timothy 1:3–11

Warning against False Teachers

³I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different teachings^{* 4}and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training^b that is known by faith.^{* 5}But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.^{* 6}Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, ⁷desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately; ⁹this means understanding that the law is laid down not for the righteous but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers,^{* 10}the sexually immoral, men who engage in illicit sex,^c slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^{* 11}that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.