1 Timothy 2-3

New American Standard Bible

A Call to Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that ^(A)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, ^2 (B)for kings and all who are in ^[a]authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and ^[b]dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of ^(C)God our Savior, ^4 (D)who wants all people to be ^(E)saved and to ^(F)come to the ^[c]knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is ^(G)one God, and ^(H)one mediator also between God and mankind, the ^(I)man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who ^(J)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ^(K)testimony ^[d]given at ^[e](L)the proper time. ^7 (M)For this I was appointed as a ^[f]preacher and ^(N)an apostle (^(O)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of ^(P)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

⁸ Therefore ^(Q)I want the men ^(R)in every place to pray, ^(S)lifting up ^(T)holy hands, without anger and dispute. ⁹ Likewise, I want ^(U)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, ^[g]modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. ^11 (V)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. ^12 (W)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. ^13 (X)For it was Adam who was first ^[h]created, and then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but ^(Y)the woman was ^[i]deceived and ^[j]became a wrongdoer. ¹⁵ But ^[k]women will be ^[l]preserved through ^[m]childbirth—if they continue in ^(Z)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.

Overseers and Deacons

3 ^(AA)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the ^(AB)office of ^[n]overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. ^2 [o](AC)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, ^(AD)the husband of one wife, ^[p](AE)temperate, self-controlled, respectable, ^(AF)hospitable, ^(AG)skillful in teaching, ^3 (AH)not overindulging in wine, not ^[q]a bully, but gentle, not contentious, ^(AI)free from the love of money. ⁴ He must be one who ^(AJ)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity ⁵ (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of ^(AK)the church of God?), ⁶ and not a new convert, so that he will not become ^(AL)conceited and fall into ^(AM)condemnation ^[r]incurred by the devil. ⁷ And he must ^(AN)have a good reputation with ^(AO)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into ^[s]disgrace and ^(AP)the snare of the devil.

^8 (AQ)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not ^[t]insincere, ^(AR)not prone to drink much wine, ^(AS)not greedy for money, ^9 (AT)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ^10 (AU)These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ^11 [u]Women must likewise be dignified, ^(AV)not malicious gossips, but ^[v](AW)temperate, faithful in all things. ^12 (AX)Deacons must be ^(AY)husbands of one wife, and ^[w](AZ)good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons ^(BA)obtain for themselves a ^[x]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; ¹⁵ but ^[y]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in ^(BB)the household of God, which is the ^(BC)church of ^(BD)the living God, the ^(BE)pillar and support of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond question, great is ^(BF)the mystery of godliness: