Bible in 90 Days

Greetings

1 From:^[a] Paul, Silvanus,^[b] and Timothy.

To: The church of the Thessalonians in union with God the Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.^[c]

May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[d] be yours!

Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians

² We always thank God for all of you when we mention you in our prayers. ³ In the presence of our God and Father, we constantly remember how your faith is active,^[e] your love is hard at work,^[f] and your hope in our Lord Jesus the Messiah^[g] is enduring.^{[h] 4} Brothers whom God loves, we know that he has chosen you, ⁵ for the gospel we brought^[i] did not come to you in words only, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Indeed,^[j] you know what kind of people we proved to be while we were with you, acting on your behalf.

⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord. In spite of a great deal of suffering, you welcomed the word with the joy that the Holy Spirit produces.^{[k] 7} As a result, you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ From you the word of the Lord has spread out not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything about it.

⁹ For people^[l] keep telling us what kind of welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve a living and true God ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son whom he raised from the dead to come back^[m] from heaven. This Jesus is the one who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Paul Recalls His Visit to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. ² As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his^[n] gospel in spite of strong opposition. ³ For our appeal to you^[o] does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. ⁴ Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

⁵ As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! ⁶ We did not seek praise from people—from you or from anyone else— ⁷ even though as apostles of the Messiah^[p] we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle^[q] among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. ⁸ We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us. ⁹ Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe. ¹¹ You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats^[r] his children. ¹² We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls^[s] you into his kingdom and glory.

How the Thessalonians Welcomed the Gospel

¹³ Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is—the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in union with the Messiah^[t] Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as they did from those Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the^[u] prophets, who have persecuted us, and who please neither God nor any group of people, ¹⁶ as they try to keep us from telling the gentiles how they can be saved. As a result, they are constantly adding to the number of sins they have committed.^[v] However, wrath has overtaken them at last!

Timothy’s Report to Paul

¹⁷ Brothers, although we have been separated from you for a little while—in person but not in heart—we eagerly desire to see you again face to face. ¹⁸ That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come^[w] time and again, but Satan blocked our way. ¹⁹ After all, who is our hope, joy, or reason for^[x] rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? It is you, isn’t it? ²⁰ Yes, you are our glory and joy!

3 Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens ² and send Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in the gospel of the Messiah,^[y] to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions, for which you are aware that we were destined. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that is what happened. ⁵ But when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy^[z] to find out about your faith. I was afraid that the tempter had tempted you in some way, and that our work had been a waste of time.

Paul Rejoices about the Thessalonians

⁶ But Timothy has just now returned from visiting^[aa] 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 want to see us, just as we want to see you. ⁷ That’s why, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you by your faith. ⁸ For now we can go on living, as long as you continue to stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we have in God’s presence because of you? ¹⁰ We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again face to face, so that we may equip you with^[ab] whatever is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you. ¹² May the Lord greatly increase your love^[ac] for each other and for all people, just as we love you.^{[ad] 13} Then your hearts will be strong, blameless, and holy in the presence of God, who is our Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints.^[ae]

Instructions on the Way Christians Should Live

4 Now then, brothers, you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, as in fact you are doing. We ask and encourage you in the Lord to do so even more. ² You know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For it is God’s will that you be sanctified: You must abstain from sexual immorality. ⁴ Each of you must know how to control his own body^[af] in a holy and honorable manner, ⁵ not with passion and lust like the gentiles who do not know God. ⁶ Furthermore, you must never take advantage of or exploit a brother in this regard, because the Lord avenges all these things, just as we already told you and warned you. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to be holy. ⁸ Therefore, whoever rejects this instruction^[ag] is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

⁹ Now you do not need anyone to write to you about brotherly love, since you have been taught by God to love each other. ¹⁰ In fact, you are showing love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia, but we urge you, brothers, to keep on doing this even more. ¹¹ Also, make it your goal to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you, ¹² so that you may win the respect of outsiders, and have need of nothing.

Comfort about Christians who Have Died

¹³ But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus God will bring those who have died with him. ¹⁵ For we declare to you what the Lord has told us to say:^[ah] We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have died. ¹⁶ With a shout of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of God’s trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah^[ai] will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ So then, encourage one another with these words.

Be Ready for the Day of the Lord

5 Now you do not need to have anything written to you about times and dates, brothers, ² for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ When people^[aj] say, “There is peace and security,” destruction will strike them as suddenly as labor pains come^[ak] to a pregnant woman, and they will not be able to escape.

⁴ However, brothers, you are not in the darkness, in order that the Day of the Lord^[al] might surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. ⁶ Therefore, let’s not fall asleep like others do, but let’s stay awake and be sober. ⁷ For people who go to sleep, go to sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God has not destined us to receive^[am] wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^{[an] 10} who died for us in order that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ So then, encourage one another and build each other up, as you are doing.

Paul Gives Final Instructions to the Church

¹² Brothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct^[ao] you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard, loving them because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ We urge you, brothers, to admonish^[ap] those who are idle,^[aq] cheer up those who are discouraged, and help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that no one pays back evil for evil. Instead, always pursue what is good for each other and for everyone else. ¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Continually be prayerful. ¹⁸ In everything be thankful, because this is God’s will for you in the Messiah^[ar] Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.^{[as] 20} Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. ²² Keep away from every kind of evil.

Final Greeting

²³ May the God of peace himself make you holy in every way. And may your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—remain blameless when our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[at] appears. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful.^{[au] 25} Brothers, pray^[av] for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I order you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. ²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[aw] be with you! Amen.^[ax]

Greetings

1 From:^[ay] Paul, Silvanus,^[az] and Timothy.

To: The church of the Thessalonians in union with God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.^[ba]

² May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[bb] be yours!

Endurance in Affliction

³ Brothers, at all times we are obligated to thank God for you. It is right to do this^[bc] because your faith is growing all the time and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. ⁴ As a result, we rejoice about you among God’s churches—about your endurance and faith through all the persecutions and afflictions you are experiencing. ⁵ This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment and is intended to make you worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you are suffering. ⁶ Certainly it is right for God to pay back those who afflict you with affliction, ⁷ and to give us who are afflicted relief when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in blazing fire. He will take revenge on those who do not know God and on those who refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ Such people will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction by being separated from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious power ¹⁰ when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be regarded with wonder on that day by all who have believed—including you, because you believed our testimony.

¹¹ With this in mind, we always pray for you, asking^[bd] that our God might make you worthy of his calling and that through his power he might help you accomplish every good desire and faithful action. ¹² That way the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus, the Messiah.^[be]

The Lawless One

2 Now we ask you, brothers, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[bf] and our gathering together to him, ² not to be so quickly upset^[bg] or alarmed when someone claims that we said,^[bh] either by some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of the Lord has already come. ³ Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for it will not come unless the rebellion^[bi] takes place first and the man of sin,^[bj] who is destined for destruction,^[bk] is revealed. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship. As a result, he seats himself in the sanctuary^[bl] of God and himself declares that he is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that I repeatedly told you about these things when I was still with you? ⁶ You know what it is that is now holding him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes. ⁷ For the secret of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the person now holding it back gets out of the way. ⁸ Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord^[bm] will destroy with the breath of his mouth, rendering him powerless by the manifestation of his coming.

⁹ The coming of the lawless one^[bn] will be accompanied by the power of Satan. He will use every kind^[bo] of power, including miraculous signs, lying wonders, ¹⁰ and every type of evil to deceive^[bp] those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them.^{[bq] 11} For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. ¹² Then all who have not believed the truth but have taken pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.

¹³ At all times we are obligated to thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you to be the first fruits^[br] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through faith in the truth. ¹⁴ With this purpose in mind, he called you through our proclamation of the^[bs] gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.^{[bt] 15} So then, brothers, stand firm, and cling to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth^[bu] or by our letter. ¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus, the Messiah^[bv] himself, and may God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort^[bw] and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good action and word.

An Example to Follow

3 Finally, brothers, pray for us—that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly, and that it may be honored the way it is among you. ² Also pray^[bx] that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone holds to the faith.^{[by] 3} But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord^[bz] that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah.^[ca]

⁶ In the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[cb] we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is living in idleness^[cc] and not living^[cd] according to the tradition that they received^[ce] from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know what you must do to imitate us. We never lived in idleness^[cf] among you. ⁸ We did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It is not as though we did not have that right, but we wanted^[cg] to give you an example to follow. ¹⁰ While we were with you, we gave this order: “If anyone doesn’t want to work, he shouldn’t eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some of you are living in idleness.^[ch] You are not busy working^[ci]—you are busy interfering^[cj] in other people’s lives! ¹² We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[ck] to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. ¹³ Brothers, do not get tired of doing what is right.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say^[cl] in this letter, take note of him. Have nothing to do with him so that he will feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet, don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn^[cm] him like a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.

Final Greeting

¹⁷ I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write. ¹⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[cn] be with all of you. Amen.^[co]

Greetings

1 From:^[cp] Paul, an apostle of the Messiah^[cq] Jesus, by the command of God our Savior and the Messiah^[cr] Jesus, our hope.

² To: Timothy, my genuine child in the faith.

May grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Messiah^[cs] Jesus, our Lord, be yours!

A Warning against False Teachers

³ When I was on my way to Macedonia, I urged you to stay in Ephesus so that you could instruct certain people to stop teaching false doctrine ⁴ and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These things promote controversies rather than God’s ongoing purpose, which involves faith. ⁵ The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith. ⁶ Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the Law, yet they do not understand either what they are talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.

⁸ Of course, we know that the Law is good if a person uses it legitimately, ⁹ that is, if he understands that the Law is not intended for righteous^[ct] people but for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for those who are unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people, ¹⁰ for those involved in sexual immorality, for homosexuals, for kidnappers,^[cu] for liars, for false witnesses, and for whatever else goes against the healthy teaching ¹¹ that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

¹² I thank the Messiah^[cv] Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, that he has considered me faithful and has appointed me to his service. ¹³ In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent^[cw] man. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed toward me,^[cx] along with the faith and love that are in the Messiah^[cy] Jesus. ¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance:^[cz]

I am the worst of them. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner,^[dc] the Messiah^[dd] Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King Eternal—the immortal, invisible, and only God—be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

Guidelines for Behavior in the Church

¹⁸ Timothy, my child, I am instructing you in keeping with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may continue to fight the good fight ¹⁹ with faith and a good conscience. By ignoring their consciences,^[de] some people have destroyed their faith like a wrecked ship. ²⁰ These include Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Prayer and Submission to Authority

2 First of all, then, I urge you to offer to God^[df] petitions, prayers, intercessions, and expressions of thanks for all people, ² for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity.^{[dg] 3} This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully. ⁵ There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and human beings—a human, the Messiah^[dh] Jesus. ⁶ He gave himself as a ransom for everyone, the testimony at the proper time. ⁷ For this reason I was appointed to be an announcer, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the gentiles. (I am telling you the truth.^[di] I am not lying.)

Instructions to Men and Women

⁸ Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without being angry or argumentative. ⁹ Women, for their part, should display their beauty by dressing modestly and decently in appropriate clothes, not with elaborate hairstyles or by wearing gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but through good actions. This is proper for women who claim to revere God.

¹¹ Let a woman learn with a quiet spirit, and submissively. ¹² Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve, ¹⁴ and it was not Adam who was deceived. It was the woman who was deceived and became disobedient, ¹⁵ even though she will be saved through the birth of the Child,^[dj] if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, along with good judgment.^[dk]

Qualifications for Leaders in the Church

3 This is a trustworthy saying:^[dl]

² Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife,^[dm] stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.^{[dn] 3} He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and have children who are submissive and respectful in every way. ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, so that he won’t become arrogant and fall into the Devil’s condemnation. ⁷ He must be well thought of by outsiders, so he doesn’t^[do] fall into disgrace and the trap set for him by^[dp] the Devil.

⁸ Deacons,^[dq] too, must be serious. They must not be two-faced,^[dr] addicted to wine, or greedy for money. ⁹ They must hold firmly to the secret of the faith with clear consciences. ¹⁰ But they must first be tested. Then, if they prove to be blameless, let them serve in ministry.^{[ds] 11} Their wives^[dt] must also be serious. They must not be gossips, but instead be stable and trustworthy in everything. ¹² Deacons^[du] must be husbands of one wife^[dv] and must manage their children and their families well. ¹³ Those who serve well in ministry^[dw] gain an excellent reputation for themselves and will have great assurance by their faith in the Messiah^[dx] Jesus.

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon. However, I’m writing this to you ¹⁵ in case I am delayed, so that you may know how to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great:^[dy]

A Prophecy about the Future

4 Now the Spirit says clearly that in the last times some people will abandon the faith by following deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons, ² and the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences have been burned by a hot iron. ³ They will try to stop people from marrying and from eating certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

How to be a Good Servant of the Messiah Jesus

⁶ If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of the Messiah^[ed] Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely. ⁷ Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ Physical exercise is of limited value, but

⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance.^{[ee] 10} To this end we work hard and struggle,^[ef] because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, that is, of those who believe.

¹¹ These are the things you must insist on and teach. ¹² Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness,^[eg] and purity. ¹³ Until I arrive, give your full concentration to the public reading of Scripture,^[eh] to exhorting, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect^[ei] the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to your life and your teaching. Persevere in these things, because if you do so, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Treatment of Widows

5 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat^[ej] younger men like brothers, ² older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters, with absolute purity.

³ Honor widows who have no other family members to care for them.^{[ek] 4} But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing in God’s sight. ⁵ A woman who has no other family members to care for her^[el] and who is left all alone has placed her hope in God and devotes herself to petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶ But the self-indulgent widow^[em] is just as good as dead.

⁷ Continue to give these instructions, so that they may be blameless. ⁸ If anyone does not take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ A widow may be put on the widows’^[en] list if she is at least sixty years old and has been the wife of one husband.^{[eo] 10} She must be well known for her good actions as a woman who has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the saints’ feet, helped the suffering, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

¹¹ But do not include younger widows on your list.^[ep] For whenever their natural desires cause them to lose their devotion to the Messiah,^[eq] they want to remarry. ¹² They receive condemnation because they have set aside their prior commitment to the Messiah.^{[er] 13} At the same time, they also learn how to be lazy while going from house to house. Not only this, but they even become gossips and keep busy by interfering in other people’s lives, saying things they should not say.

¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger widows to remarry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them. ¹⁵ For some widows^[es] have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any woman^[et] is a believer and has relatives who are widows, she should help them. The church should not be burdened, so it can help those widows who have no other family members to care for them.^[eu]

Elders and Their Duties

¹⁷ Elders who handle their duties^[ev] well should be considered worthy of double compensation,^[ew] especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain,”^[ex] and, “A worker deserves his pay.”^{[ey] 19} Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported “by two or three witnesses.”^{[ez] 20} As for those who keep on sinning, rebuke them in front of everyone so that the rest will also be afraid. ²¹ With God as my witness, as well as the Messiah^[fa] Jesus and the chosen angels, I solemnly call on you to carry out these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality. ²² Do not ordain^[fb] anyone hastily. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. ²³ Stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach because of your frequent illnesses.

²⁴ The sins of some people are obvious, leading them to judgment. The sins^[fc] of others follow them there. ²⁵ In the same way, good actions are obvious, and those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Duties of Servants and Masters

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their own masters as deserving of the highest respect,^[fd] so that the name of God and our teaching may not be discredited.^{[fe] 2} Moreover, those who have believing masters should be respectful to them, because they are fellow believers.^[ff] In fact, they must serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them. These are the things you must teach and exhort.

Rules for Godly Living

³ If anyone teaches false doctrine and refuses to agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[fg] and godly teaching, ⁴ he is a conceited person and does not understand anything. He has an unhealthy craving for arguments and debates. This produces jealousy, rivalry, slander, evil suspicions, ⁵ and incessant conflict between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth. They think that godliness is a way to make a profit.^{[fh] 6} Of course, godliness with contentment does bring a great profit.

⁹ But people who want to get rich keep toppling into temptation and are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires that plunge them into destruction and ruin. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and caused^[fi] themselves a lot of pain.

Advice for Timothy

¹³ Since you are^[fk] in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and in the presence of the Messiah^[fl] Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, I solemnly charge you ¹⁴ to keep these commands stainlessly and blamelessly until the appearance of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.^{[fm] 15} At the right time, he will make him known.

Advice for the Wealthy

¹⁷ Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence^[fo] in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good actions, to be generous, and to share. ¹⁹ By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can keep their hold on the life that is real.

Final Greeting

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. ²¹ Although some claim to have it, they have abandoned the faith. May grace be with all of you!

Greetings

1 From:^[fp] Paul, an apostle of the Messiah^[fq] Jesus by God’s will in keeping with the promise of life that is in the Messiah^[fr] Jesus.

² To: Timothy, my dear child.

May grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Messiah^[fs] Jesus our Lord be yours!

Paul’s Advice for Timothy

³ I constantly thank my God—whom I serve^[ft] with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you in my prayers night and day, ⁴ recalling your tears and longing to see you so that I can be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first existed in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that this faith^[fu] also exists in you. ⁶ For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.^{[fv] 8} Therefore, never be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the gospel.

¹¹ For the sake of this gospel^[ga] I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles.^{[gb] 12} That is why I suffer as I do. However, I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he has entrusted to me^[gc] until the day that he comes.^{[gd] 13} Hold on to the pattern of healthy teachings that you have heard from me, along with the faith and love that are in the Messiah^[ge] Jesus. ¹⁴ With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the good treasure that has been entrusted to you.

News about Paul’s Helpers

¹⁵ You know that everyone in Asia has abandoned me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often took care of^[gf] me and was not ashamed that I was a prisoner. ¹⁷ Instead, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he finds mercy on the day he comes again.^[gg] You know very well how much he assisted me in Ephesus.

Remain Committed to the Messiah Jesus

2 As for you, my child, be strong by the grace that is in the Messiah^[gh] Jesus. ² What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. ³ Join me in suffering like a good soldier of the Messiah^[gi] Jesus. ⁴ No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Moreover, no one who is an athlete wins a prize unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ Furthermore, it is the hard working farmer who should have the first share of the crops. ⁷ Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you to understand all these things.

⁸ Meditate on^[gj] Jesus, the Messiah,^[gk] who was raised from the dead and is a descendant of David. This is the gospel I tell others.^{[gl] 9} Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive the salvation that is in the Messiah^[gm] Jesus, along with eternal glory. ¹¹ This saying is trustworthy:^[gn]

¹⁴ Remind others about these things, and warn them before God^[gr] not to argue over words. Arguing^[gs] does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision. ¹⁶ However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly, ¹⁷ and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. ¹⁸ They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others.

¹⁹ However, God’s solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord^[gt] knows those who belong to him,”^[gu] and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord^[gv] must turn away from evil.”^{[gw] 20} In a large house there are not only utensils made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, while others are for ordinary use. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone stops associating with^[gx] these people, he will become a special utensil, set apart for the owner’s use, prepared for every good action.

²² Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness,^[gy] love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. ²³ Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. ²⁴ A servant^[gz] of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable,^[ha] willing to suffer wrong, ²⁵ and gentle when refuting opponents. After all, maybe God will allow them to repent and to come to a full knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ so that they might escape from the Devil’s snare, even though they’ve been held captive by him to do his will.

What People will be Like in the Last Days

3 You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unfeeling, uncooperative, slanderous, degenerate, brutal, hateful of what is good, ⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. ⁵ They will hold to an outward form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people. ⁶ For some of these men go into homes and deceive foolish women who are burdened with sins and swayed by all kinds of desires. ⁷ These women are always studying but are never able to arrive at a full knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and their faith is a counterfeit. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those two men,^[hb] their stupidity will be plain to everyone.

Continue to Teach the Truth

¹⁰ But you have observed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, ¹¹ and how I was persecuted and suffered in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in union with the Messiah^[hc] Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse as they deceive others and are themselves deceived.

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and found to be true, because you know from whom you learned it. ¹⁵ From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in the Messiah^[hd] Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^[he] and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action.

Complete the Task Entrusted to You

4 In the presence of God and the Messiah^[hf] Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you ² to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this^[hg] whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach. ³ For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people’s own desires. ⁴ They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. ⁵ But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry.

⁶ I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. ⁸ The victor’s crown of righteousness is now waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the day that he comes,^[hh] and not only to me but also to all who eagerly wait for his appearing.

Final Instructions to Timothy

⁹ Do your best to come to me soon, ¹⁰ because Demas, having fallen in love with this present world, has abandoned me and has 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, for he is useful in my ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

¹³ When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus in Troas, as well as the scrolls and especially the parchments.^{[hi] 14} Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. ¹⁵ You, too, must watch out for him, for he violently opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! ¹⁷ However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack^[hj] and will take me safely to^[hk] his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen.

Final Greeting

¹⁹ Greet Prisca^[hl] and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick. ²¹ Do your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

²² May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you! Amen.^[hm]

Greetings

1 From:^[hn] Paul, a servant of God, and also an apostle of Jesus the Messiah,^[ho] to bring the faith to those chosen by God, along with full knowledge of the truth that leads to^[hp] godliness, ² which is based on the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before the world^[hq] began. ³ At the right time he revealed his message through the proclamation that was entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

⁴ To: Titus, a genuine child in the faith that we share.

May grace and peace^[hr] from God the Father and the Messiah,^[hs] Jesus our Savior, be yours!

Qualifications for Leaders in the Church

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was to complete what still needed to be done and to appoint elders in every city, as I myself commanded you. ⁶ An elder must be^[ht] blameless. He must be the husband of one wife^[hu] and have children who are believers and who are not accused of having wild lifestyles or of being rebellious. ⁷ Because an overseer is God’s servant manager, he must be blameless. He must not be arrogant or irritable. He must not drink too much, be a violent person, or make money in shameful ways. ⁸ Instead, he must be hospitable to strangers, must appreciate what is good, and be sensible, honest, moral, and self-controlled. ⁹ He must be devoted to the trustworthy message that agrees with what we teach, so that he may be able to encourage others with healthy doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Guard What is True

¹⁰ For there are many people who are rebellious, especially those who are converts from Judaism.^[hv] They speak utter nonsense and deceive people. ¹¹ They must be silenced, because they are the kind of people who ruin whole families by teaching what they should not teach in order to make money in a shameful way. ¹² One of their very own prophets said,

¹³ That statement is true. For this reason, refute them sharply so that they may become healthy in the faith ¹⁴ and not pay attention to Jewish myths or commands given by people who reject the truth. ¹⁵ Everything is clean to those who are clean, but nothing is clean to those who are corrupt and unbelieving. Indeed, their very way of thinking and their consciences have been corrupted. ¹⁶ They claim to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified to do anything good.

Guidelines for Christian Living

2 But as for you, teach what is consistent with healthy doctrine. ² Older men are to be sober, serious, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. ³ Likewise, older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples^[hx] of goodness. ⁴ They should encourage the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible and pure, to manage their households, to be kind, and to submit themselves to their husbands. Otherwise, the word of God may be discredited.^[hy]

⁶ Likewise, encourage the younger men to be sensible. ⁷ Always set an example for others by doing good actions. Teach with integrity and dignity. ⁸ Use wholesome speech that cannot be condemned. Then any opponent will be ashamed because he cannot say anything bad about us.

⁹ Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, aiming to please them and not argue with them ¹⁰ or steal from them. Instead, they are to show complete and perfect loyalty, so that in every way they may make the teaching about God our Savior more attractive.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² It trains us to renounce ungodly living and worldly passions so that we might live sensible, honest, and godly lives in the present age ¹³ as we wait for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.^{[hz] 14} He gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds.

¹⁵ These are the things you should teach. Encourage and refute with full authority. Do not let anyone look down on you.

Concentrate on Doing What is Good

3 Remind believers^[ia] to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work. ² They are not to insult^[ib] anyone or be argumentative. Instead, they are to be gentle and perfectly courteous to everyone. ³ After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another.

⁸ This saying is trustworthy.^[ig] I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their faith in God may devote themselves to good actions. These things are good and helpful to other people.

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless. ¹⁰ Have nothing to do with a divisive person after you have warned him once or twice. ¹¹ For you know that a person like this is corrupt and keeps on sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Instructions to Titus

¹² As soon as I send Artemas to you, or perhaps Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do all you can to send Zenas the expert in the Law and Apollos on their way, and see that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our own people should also learn to make good deeds a priority when urgent needs arise, so they won’t be unproductive.

Final Greeting

¹⁵ All who are with me send you greetings. Greet our fellow believers who love us. May grace be with all of you! Amen.^[ih]

Greetings

¹ From:^[ii] Paul, a prisoner of the Messiah^[ij] Jesus, and Timothy our brother.

To: Philemon our dear friend^[ik] and fellow worker, ² to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house.

³ May grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[il] be yours!^[im]

Paul’s Prayer for Philemon

⁴ I always thank my God when I mention you^[in] in my prayers, ⁵ because I keep hearing about your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray^[io] that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every blessing that is ours^[ip] in the Messiah.^{[iq] 7} For I have received considerable joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed, brother, through you.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸ For this reason, although in the Messiah^[ir] I have complete freedom to order you to do what is proper, ⁹ I prefer to make my appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner of the Messiah^[is] Jesus, ¹⁰ appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. ¹¹ Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful^[it] both to you and to me. ¹² As I send him back, it’s like I’m coming along with him.^{[iu] 13} I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel. ¹⁴ Yet I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be something forced, but voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you could have him back forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but better than a slave—as a dear brother, especially to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a believer.^[iv]

¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome^[iw] me. ¹⁸ If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (I will not mention to you that you owe me your very life.) ²⁰ Yes, brother, I desire this favor from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Messiah!^{[ix] 21} Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I know that you will do even more than I ask. ²² Meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, too, for I am hoping through your prayers to be returned to you.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in the Messiah^[iy] Jesus, sends you^[iz] greetings, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. ²⁵ May the grace of our^[ja] Lord Jesus, the Messiah,^[jb] be with your spirit! Amen.^[jc]