Bible in 90 Days

Greeting

1 Paul, Silas,^[a] and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^[b]

Thanksgiving for the Faith of the Thessalonians

² We always give thanks to God for all of you as we make mention of you in our prayers, ³ because we constantly remember before God our Father your work produced by faith, your labor produced by love, and your patient endurance produced by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ Dear brothers,^[c] loved by God, we know that God has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel did not come to you with mere words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. You yourselves know very well what kind of people we proved to be for your sake, while we were with you. ⁶ You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you welcomed the word during a time of great affliction with the joy from the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.^{[d] 8} Indeed, the word of the Lord has resounded from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything, ⁹ because they themselves inform us about what kind of reception we received from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. ¹⁰ They also report how you patiently wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, the one who is going to rescue us from the coming wrath.

Paul Defends His Ministry Among the Thessalonians

2 Indeed, brothers, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a waste of time. ² Even though we had suffered previously and were treated shamefully in Philippi (as you know), we were bold in our God to speak the gospel of God to you in the face of great opposition. ³ For our appeal does not come from error or impure motives, or by way of deceit. ⁴ Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. ⁵ Indeed, as you know, we never at any time used flattering speech, nor did we act with greed as a motive. God is our witness. ⁶ Also, we did not seek the praise of people (neither yours nor anyone else’s), ⁷ even though we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles. On the contrary, we were gentle^[e] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ We yearned for you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

⁹ Surely, brothers, you remember our labor and hardship! We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you, while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devout, righteous, and blameless we were toward you who believe. ¹¹ In the same way, you know that we treated each of you as a father deals with his own children: ¹² encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who is calling you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³ There is also another reason we give thanks to God unceasingly, namely, when you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you did not receive it as the word of men but as the word of God (as it really is), which is now at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ Yes, brothers, you became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus, because you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and who severely persecuted us. They are not pleasing to God and are hostile to all people. ¹⁶ By hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved, they are always filling up the full measure of their sins. And the wrath has come upon them completely.^[f]

Paul’s Desire to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ As for us, brothers, after we were separated from you like orphans for just a short time (in person, not in our heart), it was with great desire that we made every effort to see you again in person. ¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, wanted this, not just once, but twice), but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ Indeed, who is our hope or joy or crown about which we boast before our Lord Jesus when he returns? Is it not you? ²⁰ Yes, you are our glory and our joy.

Timothy’s Mission and Good Report

3 So, when we could not stand it any longer, we thought it best to remain behind in Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and coworker for God in the gospel of Christ.^[g] We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one will be shaken by these trials, for you know well that we are destined for this. ⁴ In fact, even when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer, and it happened just that way, as you know. ⁵ This is why, when I could not stand it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, because I was afraid that somehow the Tempter had tempted you and our labor might have been for nothing.

⁶ But now, Timothy has returned to us from you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and long to see us, just as much as we also long to see you. ⁷ Because of this, brothers, in all our distress and affliction, we have been encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, if you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have before God on account of you? ¹⁰ Night and day we are praying earnestly to see you in person and to supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ May God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord increase your love and make it overflow for each other and for all people, just as ours does for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints.^[h]

Instruction Concerning Sexual Propriety

4 Therefore, beyond this, brothers, just as you received instruction from us about how you are to walk^[i] so as to please God (as indeed you are doing), we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that you do so even more. ² To be sure, you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ Indeed, this is God’s will: that you be sanctified, namely, that you keep yourselves away from sexual immorality. ⁴ He wants each of you to learn to obtain a wife^[j] for yourself^[k] in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in lustful passion like the heathen, who do not know God. ⁶ No one is to overstep and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we said previously and solemnly testified to it. ⁷ For God did not call us for uncleanness, but in sanctification. ⁸ Consequently, whoever rejects this is not rejecting a man, but the God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Instruction Concerning Brotherly Love and Labor

⁹ Concerning brotherly love, there is no need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God, with the result that you love one another. ¹⁰ In fact, you are doing so toward all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do this even more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, just as we instructed you. ¹² Do this so that you are conducting yourselves decently toward outsiders and are not lacking anything.

Instruction Concerning the Resurrection of the Dead at Christ’s Second Coming

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep,^[l] so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope. ¹⁴ Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

¹⁵ In fact, we tell you this by the word of the Lord: We who are alive and left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not go on ahead of those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore, encourage one another with these words.

Instruction Concerning the Signs of the End Times

5 Concerning the times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you, ² for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ When people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will suddenly come on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will certainly not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in the dark so that this day takes you by surprise like a thief, ⁵ for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. ⁶ So then let us not sleep like everyone else, but rather let us remain alert and sober.

⁷ To be sure, those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ You see, God did not appoint us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are also doing.

Final Exhortations and Greetings

¹² Brothers, we ask you to take note of those who work hard among you, who exercise leadership over you in the Lord, and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love, on account of their work. Live at peace with each other.

¹⁴ We also encourage you, brothers, to admonish those who are idle. Encourage those who are discouraged, help those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil with evil, but instead, always strive to do good to each other and to everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not extinguish the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt. ²¹ But^[m] test everything. Hold on to the good. ²² Keep away from every kind^[n] of evil.

²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I put you under oath to the Lord to read this letter to all the holy^[o] brothers.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Greeting

1 Paul, Silas,^[p] and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

³ We are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers,^[q] as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love that each and every one of you has for one another is increasing. ⁴ So we ourselves boast about you in God’s churches in regard to your patient endurance and faith in all your persecutions and in the trials that you are enduring. ⁵ This is evidence of God’s righteous verdict that resulted in your being counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also suffer. ⁶ Certainly, it is right for God to repay trouble to those who trouble you, ⁷ and to give relief to you, who are troubled along with us. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels, ⁸ he will exercise vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ Such people will receive a just penalty: eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious strength, ¹⁰ on that day when he comes to be glorified among his saints, and to be marveled at among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ For this reason, we are always praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of your calling and use his power to fulfill every good desire and work of your faith, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and you in him, in keeping with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

The Man of Sin

2 Now, about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together with him, we ask you, brothers, ² not to be quickly shaken from your composure or disturbed by a spirit, a message, or a letter thought to be from us, which says that the day of the Lord has already come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way, because that day will not come until the falling away comes first, and the man of sin^[r] is revealed—the son of destruction. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above everyone who is called God or every object of worship, so that he sits in the temple of God, displaying himself as God.

⁵ Do you not remember that, while I was still with you, I kept telling you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ In fact, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is now holding him back moves out of the way. ⁸ Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with^[s] the breath of his mouth and destroy when he appears in splendor at his coming.

⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan, with every kind of miracle, that is, with false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with every kind of unrighteousness that deceives those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ And because of this, God continues to send them a strong delusion, so that they believe the lie, ¹² in order that all those may be condemned who refused to believe the truth but instead delighted in unrighteousness.

Chosen for Salvation

¹³ But we are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth. ¹⁴ For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings that were passed along to you, either by word of mouth or by a letter from us. ¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers, pray for us so that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be glorified just as it was among you. ² Pray also that we may be rescued from evil and wicked people. For not everyone has faith. ³ Still, the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and protect you from the Evil One. ⁴ We also have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we are telling you. ⁵ May the Lord continue to direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s patient endurance.

Warnings Against Idleness

⁶ We instruct you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid every brother who is walking idly and not in accordance with the teaching that you received from us. ⁷ In fact, you yourselves know how necessary it is for you to imitate us, because we were not idle among you. ⁸ We never ate anyone’s bread without paying for it. Instead, with labor and hardship we worked night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ This was not because we lacked authority, but to provide an example for you to imitate. ¹⁰ In fact, when we were with you, this was our command to you: If anyone does not want to work, he should not eat. ¹¹ Indeed, we hear that some among you are idle, not busy working, but being busybodies. ¹² In the Lord Jesus Christ, we command and urge these people to work quietly and eat their own bread.

¹³ But you, brothers, do not grow weary of doing good. ¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him so that you do not associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ Yet do not consider him an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Benediction

¹⁶ May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ This greeting is written by me, Paul, with my own hand. This is a distinguishing sign of how I write in every letter.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope,

² To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

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

Warning Against False Teachers

³ As I urged you while I was going to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach any different doctrines ⁴ or pay any attention to myths and endless genealogies that bring about aimless speculations rather than God’s plan, which centers in faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love that comes from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith. ⁶ By veering away from these things, some have turned aside into meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, although they do not comprehend what they are saying or the things they so strongly affirm. ⁸ Now, we know that the law is good as long as one uses it correctly— ⁹ keeping in mind that the law is not laid down for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for godless people and sinners, for unholy and worldly people, for those who kill their fathers and those who kill their mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for sexually immoral people, for homosexuals, for kidnappers,^[t] for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is opposed to sound teaching— ¹¹ in keeping with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.

God’s Mercy to Paul

¹² I give thanks to the one who empowered me, namely, Christ Jesus our Lord, that he treated me as trustworthy, appointing me into his ministry. ¹³ He did this even though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. But I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord overflowed on me along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But I was shown mercy for this reason: that in me, the worst sinner, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his unlimited patience as an example for those who are going to believe in him, resulting in eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, to the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Fight the Good Fight

¹⁸ I am entrusting this instruction to you, Timothy, my child, according to the prophecies about you, which were made earlier, so that by them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹ with faith and a good conscience. By rejecting these, some people have suffered shipwreck with regard to their faith, ²⁰ including Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions About Worship

2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we might live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this testimony, I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I speak the truth;^[u] I am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. ⁹ Likewise, I also want women to adorn themselves with respectable clothing,^[v] with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. ¹¹ A woman should learn in a quiet manner with full submission. ¹² And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. Instead, she is to continue in a quiet manner. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but it was the woman who was deceived and became a transgressor. ¹⁵ But she will be saved—while bearing children^[w]—if they remain in faith and love and sanctification with self-control.

Qualifications of Overseers

3 This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to become an overseer, he desires a noble task. ² It is necessary, then, for the overseer to be above reproach, the husband of only one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not a violent man but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ It is necessary that he manage his own household well, with all dignity making sure that his children obey him. ⁵ (If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the same condemnation as the Devil. ⁷ In addition, he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.

Qualifications of Deacons

⁸ In the same way, it is necessary that deacons be dignified, not deceitful,^[x] not devoted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain— ⁹ men who hold on to the mystery of the faith with a clean conscience. ¹⁰ Let them also be tested first. Then let them serve as deacons, if they are found to be blameless. ¹¹ In the same way women^[y] must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in everything. ¹² Let each deacon be the husband of only one wife, managing his children and his own household well. ¹³ Certainly, those who serve well as deacons gain for themselves good standing and great boldness in the faith they have in Christ Jesus.

Summary and Doxology

¹⁴ I am writing these things to you even though I hope to come to you shortly. ¹⁵ But if I am delayed, I wanted you to know how it is necessary to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Undeniably, great is the mystery of godliness:

Some Will Fall Away

4 The Spirit clearly says that, in later times, some will fall away from the faith, because they devote themselves to deceitful spirits and the doctrines of demons, ² in connection with the hypocrisy of liars, whose own consciences have been seared. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ In fact, everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

⁶ If you point out these things to the brothers,^[ac] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good doctrine, which you have followed faithfully. ⁷ Pay no attention to worldly and absurd myths, but train yourself for godliness. ⁸ For bodily training is beneficial to an extent, but godliness is beneficial in all things, because it holds promise both for life now and for the life to come. ⁹ This saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ Indeed, it is for this reason that we work hard and are insulted:^[ad] because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Insist on these things and continue teaching them. ¹² Let no one look down on your youth. Instead, be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the reading^[ae] of Scripture, to encouraging, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things. Constantly be involved in them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to the doctrine. Persevere in them, because by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Attitude Toward Various Age Groups

5 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but encourage him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Taking Care of Widows

³ Honor widows who are truly widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be devoted to their own household and repay their parents,^[af] for this is pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵ Now the widow who is without relatives has put her hope in God and continues in her petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶ But the widow who lives only for her own pleasure is dead, even while she lives. ⁷ Insist on these things also, in order that they may be above criticism. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own family, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be put on the list if she is over sixty years old, has been a wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and has a good reputation for doing good: if she brought up children, if she showed hospitality to strangers, if she washed the feet of the saints, if she provided help for those in distress, and if she dedicated herself to every good work. ¹¹ But do not put younger widows on the list, for when they have strong sensual desires that pull them away from Christ, they want to marry, ¹² and so they bring judgment on themselves because they set aside their former pledge.^{[ag] 13} At the same time, they also learn to be lazy as they go about from house to house. They not only learn to be lazy, but also to be gossips and busybodies, saying things that they should not say. ¹⁴ Therefore I want younger widows^[ah] to marry, to have children, to keep house, and to give no opportunity for the enemy to slander them. ¹⁵ In fact, some have already turned away to follow Satan.

¹⁶ If any believing woman^[ai] has widows in her family, let her keep helping them rather than letting them become a burden to the church, so that the church may help those who are truly widows.

Dealing With Elders

¹⁷ The elders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially the ones who work hard in the word and doctrine.^{[aj] 18} For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[ak] and “The worker is worthy of his pay.”^{[al] 19} Do not accept an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ In the presence of everyone, rebuke the ones who persist in sin, so that the rest may be afraid.

²¹ I solemnly charge you, in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that you follow these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing out of partiality. ²² Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and do not take part in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.

²⁴ The sins of some people are obvious, going on ahead of them to judgment, but the sins of others follow them there. ²⁵ In the same way, good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not obvious cannot stay hidden.

Dealing With Slaves

6 All who are under a yoke of slavery should consider their own masters worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching may not be blasphemed. ² And those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful toward them because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them even better, because those who benefit from their good service are believers and dear to them.

False Teachers and Their Greed

Teach and urge these things. ³ If anyone teaches different doctrines and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. Instead, he has a morbid craving for controversies and battles over words, things that produce envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant frictions among people whose minds are depraved, who have lost hold of the truth, imagining that their godliness is a means of financial gain. Separate yourselves from such people.^[am]

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly^[an] cannot take anything out. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be satisfied.

⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into complete destruction and utter ruin. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils. By striving for money, some have wandered away from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

Fight the Good Fight

¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and about which you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made a good confession as a witness before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ that you keep this command without spot and without fault, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will make known at the proper time—the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or is able to see. To him be honor and power forever! Amen.

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant or to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but rather in God, who richly supplies us with all things for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.^[ao]

²⁰ O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from godless, empty talk and the contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge.” ²¹ By professing it, some have veered away from the faith. Grace be with you.^[ap] Amen.^[aq]

Greeting and Thanksgiving

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in accordance with the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, my child, whom I love:

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

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clean conscience as my ancestors did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. ⁴ When I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I remember your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that it also lives in you.

Guard the Gospel

⁶ For this reason I am reminding you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Instead, join with me in suffering for the gospel while relying on the power of God. ⁹ He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles,^{[ar] 12} and that is why I am suffering these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

¹³ Hold fast to the pattern of sound words that you heard from me, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Through the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you.

Onesiphorus

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he refreshed me many times and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷ On the contrary, after he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day. And you know very well how much he did when he served in Ephesus.

Encouragement to Be Strong

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² Entrust the things you heard from me, in the presence of many witnesses, to faithful men who will also be able to teach others.

³ Share hardships as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the affairs of everyday life. If he does, he will not please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ Also, if someone competes as an athlete, he does not receive a crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should receive a share of the crops first. ⁷ Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, a descendant^[as] of David, in accordance with my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain^[at] the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, along with eternal glory. ¹¹ This saying is trustworthy:

Correctly Handle the Word of Truth

¹⁴ Remind people of these things, as you solemnly charge them in the presence of God^[au] not to fight about words, which does no good and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Make every effort to present yourself to God as one who is approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, correctly handling^[av] the word of truth. ¹⁶ As for pointless chatter, avoid it, for it will lead to an ever greater measure of godlessness, ¹⁷ and their message will spread like gangrene. This includes Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have veered away from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are overturning the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s foundation stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^[aw] and “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord keep away from wickedness.”^[ax]

²⁰ In a large house there are articles^[ay] not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay—some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. ²¹ So if anyone cleanses himself thoroughly from these things, he will be an instrument^[az] for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master, and prepared to do every good work.

²² Flee from the lusts young people have and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant arguments, since you know they breed quarrels. ²⁴ It is necessary that a servant of the Lord not quarrel but be kind toward everyone, able to teach, able to bear evil without resentment, ²⁵ and gentle in correcting those who oppose him. God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the Devil’s trap, after they were captured by him to do his will.

The Last Days

3 But know this: In the last days there will be terrible times. ² For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, not able to reconcile with others, slanderous, without self-control, savage, haters of what is good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, puffed up with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such people. ⁶ For some of them are people who worm their way into households and gain control over vulnerable women who are overwhelmed with sins, led astray by various evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these people oppose the truth. They are people of depraved minds, disqualified in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not get very far, because their foolishness will be quite clear to everyone, just as it was in the case of Jannes and Jambres.

¹⁰ But you have faithfully followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfast endurance, ¹¹ my persecutions, my sufferings—the kind that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the kind of persecutions I endured—and the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² Indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

¹⁴ As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom^[ba] you learned them ¹⁵ and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God breathed^[bb] and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work.

Proclaim the Gospel

4 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: ² Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not.^[bc] Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching.^{[bd] 3} For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. ⁴ They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

⁵ As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Farewell

⁶ You see, I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. ⁸ From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will give it to me on that day, and not only to me but also to everyone who loved his appearing.

⁹ Make every effort to come to me quickly, ¹⁰ for Demas, because he loved this present world, has forsaken me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. ¹⁵ You be on your guard against him also, because he vehemently opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first hearing, no one came to my defense, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles would hear it, and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹ Greet Prisca^[be] and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus remained in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick. ²¹ Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.^[bf]

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.^[bg] Amen.^[bh]

Greeting

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect people and the knowledge of the truth that conforms to godliness, ² based on the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. ³ At the proper time he revealed this in his word, in the preaching that was entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

⁴ To Titus, my true child in our common faith:

Grace^[bi] and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus’ Work in Crete

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was so that you would set in order the things that were left unfinished and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you. ⁶ Such a man is to be blameless, the husband of only one wife, and to have believing children who are not open to a charge of wild living or disobedience. ⁷ Indeed an overseer, since he is God’s steward, must be blameless, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not eager for dishonest gain. ⁸ Instead, he must be hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, devout, and disciplined. ⁹ He must cling to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he will be able both to encourage people by the sound teaching and also to correct^[bj] those who oppose him.

¹⁰ For there are many who are rebellious, whose words are empty, and who deceive, especially those of the circumcision party. ¹¹ The mouths of these people must be stopped, because they are ruining whole households by teaching what they should not teach, for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² One of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, vicious beasts, and lazy gluttons.”^{[bk] 13} This testimony is true. For this reason, correct them sharply so that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not paying attention to Jewish myths or the commands of people who turn their backs on the truth. ¹⁵ All things are pure to those who are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are defiled and do not believe; rather, both their minds and consciences are defiled. ¹⁶ They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

Encourage With Sound Doctrine

2 But as for you, speak what is appropriate for sound doctrine. ² Encourage older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and patient endurance.

³ Likewise, encourage older women to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, but teachers of what is good, ⁴ so that they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, and submitting to their own husbands, that the word of God might not be slandered.

⁶ Likewise, encourage younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In all things show yourself to be an example of good works. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the one who opposes us will be put to shame, because he has nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Encourage slaves to submit to their masters in everything, to be pleasing to them, not to be argumentative with them, ¹⁰ not to steal from them, but to demonstrate their complete trustworthiness, so that they may show the teaching of God our Savior to be attractive in every way.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² It trains us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope, that is, the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works.

¹⁵ Keep telling people these things. Continue to encourage and rebuke with full authority. Let no one ignore you.

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready to do any good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, to be gentle, and to display every courtesy toward all people.

He Saved Us

³ For at one time we ourselves were also foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by many kinds of evil desires and pleasures, living in malice and jealousy, being hated^[bl] and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, ⁵ he saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified^[bm] by his grace, we might become heirs in keeping with the hope of eternal life.

⁸ This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to insist on these things, so that those who believe in God are intent on keeping busy with good works. These things are honorable and useful for the people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, because these are useless and fruitless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive^[bn] person after a first and second warning, ¹¹ because you know that such a man is twisted and is sinning. He condemns himself.

Closing Remarks

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort^[bo] to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos for their journey, so that they are not lacking anything. ¹⁴ Let our people also learn to busy themselves with good works when urgent needs arise, so that they are not unfruitful.

¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Amen.^[bp]

Greeting

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon, our dear friend and coworker, ² to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

⁴ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear about your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. ⁶ I pray that this fellowship of your faith may become active in understanding every good thing that belongs to us^[bq] in Christ. ⁷ For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Appeal on Behalf of Onesimus

⁸ For that reason, even though I have plenty of boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, ⁹ I am appealing to you, instead, on the basis of love, just as I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I am appealing to you on behalf of my child Onesimus.^[br] I became his father while I was in chains. ¹¹ There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. ¹² I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him.^{[bs] 13} I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness. ¹⁵ Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while: so that you would have him back forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹ I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰ Yes, brother, I am asking for a favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

²² Just one more thing: Prepare a guest room for me, because I am hoping to be given back to you in answer to your prayers.

Closing Words

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends his greetings to you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers. ²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your^[bt] spirit. Amen.