Bible in 90 Days

Greeting

1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. To the church at Thessalonica united with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Good will ^[a] and peace are yours!

Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians

² We always thank God for all of you as we remember you in our prayers. ³ In the presence of our God and Father, we never forget that your faith is active, your love is working hard, and your confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ is enduring. ⁴ Brothers and sisters, we never forget this because we know that God loves you and has chosen you. ⁵ We know this because the Good News we brought came to you not only with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with complete certainty. In the same way you know what kind of people we were while we were with you and the good things we did for you.

⁶ You imitated us and the Lord. In spite of a lot of suffering, you welcomed God’s word with the kind of joy that the Holy Spirit gives. ⁷ This way, you became a model for all the believers in the province of Macedonia and Greece. ⁸ From you the Lord’s word has spread out not only through the province of Macedonia and Greece but also to people everywhere who have heard about your faith in God. We don’t need to say a thing about it. ⁹ They talk about how you welcomed us when we arrived. They even report how you turned away from false gods to serve the real, living God ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son to come from heaven. His Son is Jesus, whom he brought back to life. Jesus is the one who rescues us from ⌞God’s⌟ coming anger.

Paul Remembers When He Was with the Thessalonians

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our time with you was not wasted. ² As you know, we suffered rough and insulting treatment in Philippi. But our God gave us the courage to tell you his Good News in spite of strong opposition.

³ When we encouraged you, we didn’t use unethical schemes, corrupt practices, or deception. ⁴ Rather, we are always spreading the Good News. God trusts us to do this because we passed his test. We don’t try to please people but God, who tests our motives. ⁵ As you know, we never used flattery or schemes to make money. God is our witness! ⁶ We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else, ⁷ although as apostles of Christ we had the right to do this.

Instead, we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children. ⁸ We felt so strongly about you that we were determined to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our lives. That’s how dear you were to us! ⁹ You remember, brothers and sisters, our work and what we did to earn a living. We worked night and day so that we could bring you the Good News of God without being a burden to any of you. ¹⁰ You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless we were in our dealings with you believers. ¹¹ You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children. We comforted you and encouraged you. Yet, we insisted that ¹² you should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Paul Remembers How the Thessalonians Received God’s Word

¹³ Here is another reason why we never stop thanking God: When you received God’s word from us, you realized it wasn’t human words. Instead, you accepted it for what it really is—God’s word. This word is at work in you believers.

¹⁴ You, brothers and sisters, were like the churches of God in Judea that are united with Christ Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as those churches did from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and who have persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God. They are enemies of the whole human race ¹⁶ because they try to keep us from telling people who are not Jewish how they can be saved. The result is that those Jews always commit as many sins as possible. So at last they are receiving ⌞God’s⌟ anger.

¹⁷ Brothers and sisters, we have been separated from you for a little while. Although we may not be able to see you, you’re always in our thoughts. We have made every possible effort to fulfill our desire to see you. ¹⁸ We wanted to visit you. I, Paul, wanted to visit you twice already, but Satan made that impossible.

¹⁹ Who is our hope, joy, or prize that we can brag about in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Isn’t it you? ²⁰ You are our glory and joy!

Timothy’s Report to Paul

3 We thought it best to remain in Athens by ourselves. But, because we couldn’t wait any longer ⌞for news about you⌟, ² we sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith ³ so that these troubles don’t disturb any of you. You know that we’re destined to suffer persecution. 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’s what happened. ⁵ But when I couldn’t wait any longer, I sent ⌞Timothy⌟ to find out about your faith. I wanted to see whether the tempter had in some way tempted you, making our work meaningless.

⁶ But Timothy has just now come back 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 want to see us, as we want to see you. ⁷ So brothers and sisters, your faith has encouraged us in all our distress and trouble. ⁸ Now we can go on living as long as you keep your relationship with the Lord firm.

⁹ We can never thank God enough for all the joy you give us as we rejoice in God’s presence. ¹⁰ We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again so that we can supply whatever you still need for your faith. ¹¹ We pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus will guide us to you. ¹² We also pray that the Lord will greatly increase your love for each other and for everyone else, just as we love you. ¹³ Then he will strengthen you to be holy. Then you will be blameless in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all God’s holy people.

Instructions on the Way Christians Should Live

4 Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. ² You know what orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ It is God’s will that you keep away from sexual sin as a mark of your devotion to him. ⁴ Each of you should know that finding a husband or wife for yourself is to be done in a holy and honorable way, ⁵ not in the passionate, lustful way of people who don’t know God. ⁶ No one should take advantage of or exploit other believers that way. The Lord is the one who punishes people for all these things. We’ve already told you and warned you about this. ⁷ God didn’t call us to be sexually immoral but to be holy. ⁸ Therefore, whoever rejects this ⌞order⌟ is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

⁹ You don’t need anyone to write to you about the way Christians should love each other. God has taught you to love each other. ¹⁰ In fact, you are showing love to all the Christians throughout the province of Macedonia. We encourage you as believers to excel in love even more. ¹¹ Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you. ¹² Then your way of life will win respect from those outside ⌞the church⌟, and you won’t have to depend on anyone else for what you need.

Comfort about Christians Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be ignorant about those who have died. We don’t want you to grieve like other people who have no hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and came back to life. We also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring back those who have died. They will come back with Jesus. ¹⁵ We are telling you what the Lord taught. We who are still alive when the Lord comes will not go ⌞into his kingdom⌟ ahead of those who have already died. ¹⁶ The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet ⌞call⌟ of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life. ¹⁷ Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ So then, comfort each other with these words!

Be Ready for the Day of the Lord

5 Brothers and sisters, you don’t need anyone to write to you about times and dates. ² You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape. ⁴ But, brothers and sisters, you don’t live in the dark. That day won’t take you by surprise as a thief would. ⁵ You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark. ⁶ Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. ⁷ People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ It was not God’s intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.

Paul Encourages the Thessalonians

¹² Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you. ¹³ We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other.

¹⁴ We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.

¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.

¹⁹ Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. ²⁰ Don’t despise what God has revealed. ²¹ Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. ²² Keep away from every kind of evil.

Farewell

²³ May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

²⁷ In the Lord’s name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ The good will ^[b] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Greeting

1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

To the church at Thessalonica united with God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

² Good will ^[c] and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!

Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians

³ We always have to thank God for you, brothers and sisters. It’s right to do this because your faith is showing remarkable growth and your love for each other is increasing. ⁴ That’s why we brag in God’s churches about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and suffering you are experiencing. ⁵ Your suffering proves that God’s judgment is right and that you are considered worthy of his kingdom.

⁶ Certainly, it is right for God to give suffering to those who cause you to suffer. ⁷ It is also right for God to give all of us relief from our suffering. He will do this when the Lord Jesus is revealed, ⌞coming⌟ from heaven with his mighty angels in a blazing fire. ⁸ He will take revenge on those who refuse to acknowledge God and on those who refuse to respond to the Good News about our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will pay the penalty by being destroyed forever, by being separated from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious power. ¹⁰ ⌞This will happen⌟ on that day when he comes to be honored among all his holy people and admired by all who have believed in him. This includes you because you believed the testimony we gave you.

¹¹ With this in mind, we always pray that our God will make you worthy of his call. We also pray that through ⌞his⌟ power he will help you accomplish every good desire and help you do everything your faith produces. ¹² That way the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored among you. Then, because of the good will of Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, you will be honored by him.

Don’t Be Deceived about the Day of the Lord

2 Brothers and sisters, we have this request to make of you about our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming and our gathering to meet him. ² Don’t get upset right away or alarmed when someone claims that we said through some spirit, conversation, or letter that the day of the Lord has already come. ³ Don’t let anyone deceive you about this in any way. ⌞That day cannot come unless⌟ a revolt takes place first, and the man of sin, the man of destruction, is revealed. ⁴ He opposes every so-called god or anything that is worshiped and places himself above them, sitting in God’s temple and claiming to be God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that I told you about these things when I was still with you? ⁶ You know what it is that now holds him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes. ⁷ The mystery of this sin is already at work. But it cannot work effectively until the person now holding it back gets out of the way. ⁸ Then the man of sin will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will destroy him by what he says. When the Lord Jesus comes, his appearance will put an end to this man.

⁹ The man of sin will come with the power of Satan. He will use every kind of power, including miraculous and wonderful signs. But they will be lies. ¹⁰ He will use everything that God disapproves of to deceive those who are dying, those who refused to love the truth that would save them. ¹¹ That’s why God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe a lie. ¹² Then everyone who did not believe the truth, but was delighted with what God disapproves of, will be condemned.

Paul Encourages the Thessalonians

¹³ We always have to thank God for you, brothers and sisters. You are loved by the Lord and we thank God that in the beginning he chose you to be saved through a life of spiritual devotion and faith in the truth. ¹⁴ With this in mind he called you by the Good News which we told you so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ Then, brothers and sisters, firmly hold on to the traditions we taught you either when we spoke to you or in our letter.

¹⁶ God our Father loved us and by his kindness ^[d] gave us everlasting encouragement and good hope. Together with our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁷ may he encourage and strengthen you to do and say everything that is good.

Paul’s Final Instructions for the Thessalonians

3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray that we spread the Lord’s word rapidly and that it will be honored the way it was among you. ² Also pray that we may be rescued from worthless and evil people, since not everyone shares our faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one.

⁴ The Lord gives us confidence that you are doing and will continue to do what we ordered you to do. ⁵ May the Lord direct your lives as you show God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

⁶ Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we order you not to associate with any believer who doesn’t live a disciplined life and doesn’t follow the tradition you received from us. ⁷ You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you. ⁸ We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It’s not as though we didn’t have a right to receive support. Rather, we wanted to set an example for you to follow. ¹⁰ While we were with you, we gave you the order: “Whoever doesn’t want to work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some of you are not living disciplined lives. You’re not working, so you go around interfering in other people’s lives. ¹² We order and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to pay attention to their own work so they can support themselves. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, we can’t allow ourselves to get tired of doing what is right.

¹⁴ It may be that some people will not listen to what we say in this letter. Take note of them and don’t associate with them so that they will feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet, don’t treat them like enemies, but instruct them like brothers and sisters.

Farewell

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

¹⁷ I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. In every letter that I send, this is proof that I wrote it.

¹⁸ The good will ^[e] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Greeting

1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our confidence.

² To Timothy, a genuine child in faith.

Good will,^[f] mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord are yours!

A Warning about False Teachers

³ When I was going to the province of Macedonia, I encouraged you to stay in the city of Ephesus. That way you could order certain people to stop teaching false doctrine ⁴ and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These myths and genealogies raise a lot of questions rather than promoting God’s plan, which centers in faith.

⁵ My goal in giving you this order is for love to flow 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 useless discussions. ⁷ They want to be experts in Moses’ Teachings. However, they don’t understand what they’re talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.

⁸ We know that the laws in Moses’ Teachings are good if they are used as they were intended to be used. ⁹ For example, a person must realize that those laws are not intended for people who have God’s approval. Laws are intended for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for those who think nothing is holy or sacred, for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people. ¹⁰ Laws are intended for people involved in sexual sins, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for those who lie when they take an oath, and for whatever else is against accurate teachings. ¹¹ Moses’ Teachings were intended to be used in agreement with the Good News that contains the glory of the blessed God. I was entrusted with that Good News.

God’s Mercy to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord that he has trusted me and has appointed me to do his work with the strength he has given me. ¹³ In the past I cursed him, persecuted him, and acted arrogantly toward him. However, I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief. ¹⁴ Our Lord was very kind ^[g] to me. Through his kindness he brought me to faith and gave me the love that Christ Jesus shows people.

¹⁵ This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner. ¹⁶ However, I was treated with mercy so that Christ Jesus could use me, the foremost sinner, to demonstrate his patience. This patience serves as an example for those who would believe in him and live forever. ¹⁷ Worship and glory belong forever to the eternal king, the immortal, invisible, and only God. Amen.

Guidelines for the Church

¹⁸ Timothy, my child, I’m giving you this order about the prophecies that are still coming to you: Use these prophecies in faith and with a clear conscience to fight this noble war. ¹⁹ Some have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.^{[h] 20} Among these people are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan in order to teach them not to dishonor God.

2 First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people, ² for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior. ⁴ He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. ⁵ There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans—a human, Christ Jesus. ⁶ He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins.

This message is valid for every era. ⁷ I was appointed to spread this Good News and to be an apostle to teach people who are not Jewish about faith and truth. I’m telling you the truth. I’m not lying.

⁸ I want men to offer prayers everywhere. They should raise their hands in prayer after putting aside their anger and any quarrels they have with anyone.

⁹ I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable. Their beauty will be shown by what they do,^[i] not by their hair styles or the gold jewelry, pearls, or expensive clothes they wear. ¹⁰ This is what is proper for women who claim to have reverence for God.

¹¹ A woman must learn in silence, in keeping with her position. ¹² I don’t allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. Instead, she should be quiet. ¹³ After all, Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ Besides that, Adam was not deceived. It was the woman who was deceived and sinned. ¹⁵ However, she ⌞and all women⌟ will be saved through the birth of the child,^[j] if they lead respectable lives in faith, love, and holiness.

Guidelines for Leaders in the Church

3 This is a statement that can be trusted: If anyone sets his heart on being a bishop, he desires something excellent. ² A bishop must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife, be sober, use good judgment, be respectable, be hospitable, and be able to teach. ³ He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but he must be gentle. He must not be quarrelsome or love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well. His children should respectfully obey him. ⁵ (If a man doesn’t know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a new Christian, or he might become arrogant like the devil and be condemned. ⁷ People who are not Christians must speak well of him, or he might become the victim of disgraceful insults that the devil sets as traps for him.

⁸ Deacons must also be of good character. They must not be two-faced or addicted to alcohol. They must not use shameful ways to make money. ⁹ They must have clear consciences about possessing the mystery of the Christian faith. ¹⁰ First, a person must be evaluated. Then, if he has a good reputation, he may become a deacon.

¹¹ Their wives must also be of good character. They must not be gossips, but they must control their tempers and be trustworthy in every way.

¹² A deacon must have only one wife. Deacons must manage their children and their families well. ¹³ Those deacons who serve well gain an excellent reputation and will have confidence as a result of their faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ I hope to visit you soon. However, I’m writing this to you ¹⁵ in case I’m delayed. I want you to know how people who are members of God’s family must live. God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

¹⁶ The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great:

A Prophecy about the Last Times

4 The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons. ² These people will speak lies disguised as truth. Their consciences have been scarred as if branded by a red-hot iron. ³ They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods. God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ Everything God created is good. Nothing should be rejected if it is received with prayers of thanks. ⁵ God’s word and prayer set it apart as holy.

Guidelines for Serving Christ

⁶ You are a good servant of Christ Jesus when you point these things out to our brothers and sisters. Then you will be nourished by the words of the Christian faith and the excellent teachings which you have followed closely. ⁷ Don’t have anything to do with godless myths that old women like to tell. Rather, train yourself to live a godly life. ⁸ Training the body helps a little, but godly living helps in every way. Godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come. ⁹ This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance. ¹⁰ Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Insist on these things and teach them. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers. ¹³ Until I get there, concentrate on reading ⌞Scripture⌟ in worship, giving encouraging messages, and teaching people. ¹⁴ Don’t neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders ^[l] placed their hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟. ¹⁵ Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. ¹⁶ Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what I’ve told you. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.

Guidelines for Dealing with Other Christians

5 Never use harsh words when you correct an older man, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as if they were your brothers, ² older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters, while keeping yourself morally pure.

³ Honor widows who have no families. ⁴ The children or grandchildren of a widow must first learn to respect their own family by repaying their parents. This is pleasing in God’s sight.

⁵ A widow who has no family has placed her confidence in God by praying and asking for his help night and day. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead although she is still alive. ⁷ Insist on these things so that widows will have good reputations. ⁸ If anyone doesn’t take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Any widow who had only one husband and is at least 60 years old should be put on your list ⌞of widows⌟. ¹⁰ People should tell about the good things she has done: raising children, being hospitable, taking care of believers’ needs, helping the suffering, or always doing good things.

¹¹ Don’t include younger widows ⌞on your list⌟. Whenever their natural desires become stronger than their devotion to Christ, they’ll want to marry. ¹² They condemn themselves by rejecting the Christian faith, the faith they first accepted. ¹³ At the same time, they learn to go around from house to house since they have nothing else to do. Not only this, but they also gossip and get involved in other people’s business, saying things they shouldn’t say.

¹⁴ So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them. ¹⁵ Some of them have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any woman is a believer and has relatives who are widows, she should help them. In this way the church is not burdened and can help widows who have no families.

¹⁷ Give double honor to spiritual leaders ^[m] who handle their duties well. This is especially true if they work hard at teaching God’s word. ¹⁸ After all, Scripture says, “Never muzzle an ox when it is threshing ^[n] grain,” and “The worker deserves his pay.”

¹⁹ Don’t pay attention to an accusation against a spiritual leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Reprimand those leaders who sin. Do it in front of everyone so that the other leaders will also be afraid.

²¹ I solemnly call on you in the sight of God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels to be impartial when you follow what I’ve told you. Never play favorites.

²² Don’t be in a hurry to place your hands on anyone ⌞to ordain him⌟. Don’t participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure.

²³ Stop drinking only water. Instead, drink a little wine for your stomach because you are frequently sick.

²⁴ The sins of some people are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment. The sins of others follow them there. ²⁵ In the same way, the good things that people do are obvious, and those that aren’t obvious can’t remain hidden.

6 All slaves who believe must give complete respect to their own masters. In this way no one will speak evil of God’s name and what we teach. ² Slaves whose masters also believe should respect their masters even though their masters are also believers. As a result, believers who are slaves should serve their masters even better because those who receive the benefit of their work are believers whom they love.

Guidelines for Living a Godly Life

Teach and encourage people to do these things. ³ Whoever teaches false doctrine and doesn’t agree with the accurate words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teachings ⁴ is a conceited person. He shows that he doesn’t understand anything. Rather, he has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words. This produces jealousy, rivalry, cursing, suspicion, ⁵ and conflict between people whose corrupt minds have been robbed of the truth. They think that a godly life is a way to make a profit.

⁶ A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have. ⁷ We didn’t bring anything into the world, and we can’t take anything out of it. ⁸ As long as we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied.

⁹ But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. ¹⁰ Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.

¹¹ But you, man of God, must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses.

¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony in front of Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ I insist that, until our Lord Jesus Christ appears, you obey this command completely. Then you cannot be blamed for doing anything wrong. ¹⁵ At the right time God will make this known. God is the blessed and only ruler. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. ¹⁶ He is the only one who cannot die. He lives in light that no one can come near. No one has seen him, nor can they see him. Honor and power belong to him forever! Amen.

¹⁷ Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. ¹⁹ By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is.

²⁰ Timothy, guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose ⌞the Christian faith⌟. ²¹ Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith.

God’s good will ^[o] be with all of you.

Greeting

1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will—a will that contains Christ Jesus’ promise of life.

² To Timothy, my dear child.

Good will,^[p] mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

³ I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day when I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did. ⁴ I remember your tears and want to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. ⁵ I’m reminded of how sincere your faith is. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m convinced that it also lives in you.

Paul’s Advice for Timothy

⁶ You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟. Now I’m reminding you to fan that gift into flames. ⁷ God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. ⁸ So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord or be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the Good News. ⁹ God saved us and called us to be holy, not because of what we had done, but because of his own plan and kindness.^[q] Before the world began, God planned that Christ Jesus would show us God’s kindness. ¹⁰ Now with the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, he has revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has brought eternal life into full view. ¹¹ I was appointed to be a messenger of this Good News, an apostle, and a teacher.

¹² For this reason I suffer as I do. However, I’m not ashamed. I know whom I trust. I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day.

¹³ With faith and love for Christ Jesus, consider what you heard me say to be the pattern of accurate teachings. ¹⁴ With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, protect the Good News that has been entrusted to you.

News about Paul’s Coworkers

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

¹⁶ May the Lord be merciful to the family of Onesiphorus. He often took care of my needs and wasn’t ashamed that I was a prisoner. ¹⁷ When he arrived in Rome, he searched hard for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that Onesiphorus finds mercy when that day comes. You know very well that he did everything possible to help me in Ephesus.

Remain Focused on Jesus

2 My child, find your source of strength in the kindness ^[r] of Christ Jesus. ² You’ve heard my message, and it’s been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.

³ Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ Whoever serves in the military doesn’t get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer. ⁵ Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules. ⁶ A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. ⁷ Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

⁸ Always think about Jesus Christ. He was brought back to life and is a descendant of David. This is the Good News that I tell others. ⁹ I’m suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, God’s word is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive salvation from Christ Jesus with glory that lasts forever. ¹¹ This is a statement that can be trusted:

¹⁴ Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn’t do any good but only destroys those who are listening.

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly. ¹⁶ Avoid pointless discussions. People who ⌞pay attention to these pointless discussions⌟ will become more ungodly, ¹⁷ and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that. ¹⁸ They have abandoned the truth. They are destroying the faith of others by saying that people who have died have already come back to life.

¹⁹ In spite of all that, God’s ⌞people⌟ have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong.”

²⁰ In a large house there are not only objects made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some objects are honored when they are used; others aren’t. ²¹ Those who stop associating with dishonorable people will be honored. They will be set apart for the master’s use, prepared to do good things.

²² Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels. ²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong. ²⁵ He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth. ²⁶ Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil’s snare so that they can do his will.

Watch Out for Sinful People

3 You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. ² People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, ³ and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. ⁴ They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.

⁶ Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires. ⁷ These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth.

⁸ As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men oppose the truth. Their minds are corrupt, and the faith they teach is counterfeit. ⁹ Certainly, they won’t get very far. Like the stupidity of Jannes and Jambres, their stupidity will be plain to everyone.

Teach the Truth

¹⁰ But you know all about my teachings, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. ¹¹ You also know about the kind of persecutions and sufferings which happened to me in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions, and the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and phony preachers will go from bad to worse as they mislead people and are themselves misled.

¹⁴ However, continue in what you have learned and found to be true. You know who your teachers were. ¹⁵ From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. ¹⁷ They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things.

Continue to Do Your Work

4 I solemnly call on you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Jesus will come to rule ⌞the world⌟. ² Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.

³ A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. ⁴ People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.

⁵ But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.

⁶ My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. ⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. ⁸ The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.

Paul’s Final Instructions to Timothy

⁹ Hurry to visit me soon. ¹⁰ Demas has abandoned me. He fell in love with this present world and went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to the province of Galatia, and Titus went to the province of Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is useful to me in my work. ¹² I’m sending Tychicus to the city of Ephesus as my representative.

¹³ When you come, bring the warm coat I left with Carpus in the city of Troas. Also bring the scrolls and especially the parchments.^[s]

¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. ¹⁵ Watch out for him. He violently opposed what we said. ¹⁶ At my first hearing no one stood up in my defense. Everyone abandoned me. I pray that it won’t be held against them. ¹⁷ However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that I could finish spreading the Good News for all the nations to hear. I was snatched out of a lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from all harm and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in the city of Corinth and I left Trophimus in the city of Miletus because he was sick. ²¹ Hurry to visit me before winter comes. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters send you greetings.

²² The Lord be with you. His good will ^[t] be with all of you.

Greeting

1 From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was sent to lead God’s chosen people to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to a godly life. ² My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. God, who never lies, promised this eternal life before the world began. ³ God has revealed this in every era by spreading his word. I was entrusted with this word by the command of God our Savior.

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

Good will ^[u] and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Savior are yours!

Guidelines for Leaders in the Church

⁵ I left you in Crete to do what still needed to be done—appointing spiritual leaders ^[v] in every city as I directed you. ⁶ A spiritual leader must have a good reputation. He must have only one wife and have children who are believers. His children shouldn’t be known for having wild lifestyles or being rebellious. ⁷ Because a bishop is a supervisor appointed by God, he must have a good reputation. He must not be a stubborn or irritable person. He must not drink too much or be a violent person. He must not use shameful ways to make money. ⁸ Instead, he must be hospitable, love what is good, use good judgment, be fair and moral, and have self-control. ⁹ He must be devoted to the trustworthy message we teach. Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word.

Correct Whoever Teaches What Is Wrong

¹⁰ There are many believers, especially converts from Judaism, who are rebellious. They speak nonsense and deceive people. ¹¹ They must be silenced because they are ruining whole families by teaching what they shouldn’t teach. This is the shameful way they make money.

¹² Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, savage animals, and lazy gluttons.” ¹³ That statement is true. For this reason, sharply correct believers so that they continue to have faith that is alive and well. ¹⁴ They shouldn’t pay attention to Jewish myths or commands given by people who are always rejecting the truth. ¹⁵ Everything is clean ^[w] to those who are clean. But nothing is clean to corrupt unbelievers. Indeed, their minds and their consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶ They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

Guidelines for Christian Living

2 Tell believers to live the kind of life that goes along with accurate teachings. ² Tell older men to be sober. Tell them to be men of good character, to use good judgment, and to be well-grounded in faith, love, and endurance.

³ Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. ⁴ In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children, ⁵ to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word.

⁶ Encourage young men to use good judgment. ⁷ Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity. ⁸ Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us.

⁹ Tell slaves who are believers to place themselves under their masters’ authority in everything they do. Tell them to please their masters, not to argue with them ¹⁰ or steal from them. Instead, tell slaves to show their masters how good and completely loyal they can be. Then they will show the beauty of the teachings about God our Savior in everything they do.

¹¹ After all, God’s saving kindness ^[x] has appeared for the benefit of all people. ¹² It trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. ¹³ At the same time we can expect what we hope for—the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us to set us free from every sin and to cleanse us so that we can be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good things.

¹⁵ Tell these things to the believers. Encourage and correct them, using your full authority. Don’t let anyone ignore you.

3 Remind believers to willingly place themselves under the authority of government officials. Believers should obey them and be ready to help them with every good thing they do. ² Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

What God Did for Us

³ Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other.

⁴ However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, ⁵ he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. ⁶ God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ As a result, God in his kindness ^[y] has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life. ⁸ This is a statement that can be trusted. I want you to insist on these things so that those who believe in God can concentrate on setting an example by doing good things. This is good and helps other people.

Advice for Titus

⁹ Avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about Moses’ Teachings. This is useless and worthless. ¹⁰ Have nothing to do with people who continue to teach false doctrine after you have warned them once or twice. ¹¹ You know that people like this are corrupt. They are sinners condemned by their own actions.

Farewell

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to visit me in the city of Nicopolis. I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos your best support for their trip so that they will have everything they need.

¹⁴ Our people should also learn how to set an example by doing good things when urgent needs arise so that they can live productive lives.

¹⁵ Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet our faithful friends.

⌞God’s⌟ good will ^[z] be with all of you.

Greeting

¹ From Paul, who is a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and our brother Timothy.

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

³ Good will ^[aa] and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!

Paul’s Prayer for Philemon

⁴ ⌞Philemon,⌟ I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers because ⁵ I hear about your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. ⁶ As you share the faith you have in common with others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Christ. ⁷ Your love ⌞for God’s people⌟ gives me a lot of joy and encouragement. You, brother, have comforted God’s people.

Paul’s Advice about Onesimus

⁸ Christ makes me bold enough to order you to do the right thing. ⁹ However, I would prefer to make an appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, ¹⁰ appeal to you for my child Onesimus [Useful]. I became his spiritual father here in prison. ¹¹ Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful to both of us.

¹² I am sending him back to you. This is like sending you a part of myself. ¹³ I wanted to keep him here with me. Then he could have served me in your place while I am in prison for spreading the Good News. ¹⁴ Yet, I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I want you to do this favor for me out of your own free will without feeling forced to do it.

¹⁵ Maybe Onesimus was gone 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. He is especially dear to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a Christian.

¹⁷ If you think of me as your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹ I, Paul, promise to pay it back. I’m writing this with my own hand. I won’t even mention that you owe me your life. ²⁰ So, because we’re brothers in the Lord, do something for me. Give me some comfort because of Christ. ²¹ I am confident as I write to you that you will do this. And I know that you will do even more than I ask.

²² One more thing—have a guest room ready for me. I hope that, because of your prayers, God will give me back to you.

Greetings from Paul’s Coworkers

²³ Epaphras, who is a prisoner because of Christ Jesus like I am, ²⁴ and my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke send you greetings.

²⁵ The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be yours.