Greeting
1 Paul, aan apostle of Christ Jesus bby command of cGod our Savior and of Christ Jesus dour hope,
2 To Timothy, emy true child in the faith:
fGrace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning Against False Teachers
3 gAs I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not hto teach any different doctrine, 4 nor ito devote themselves to myths and endless jgenealogies, which promote kspeculations rather than the stewardship1 from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love lthat issues from a pure heart and ma good conscience and na sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by oswerving from these, have wandered away into pvain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, qwithout understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that rthe law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the slaw is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,2 liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to tsound3 doctrine, 11 in accordance with uthe gospel of the glory of vthe blessed God wwith which I have been entrusted.
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him xwho has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, yappointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, zpersecutor, and insolent opponent. But aI received mercy bbecause I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and cthe grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the dfaith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is etrustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus fcame into the world to save sinners, gof whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To hthe King of the ages, iimmortal, jinvisible, kthe only God, lbe honor and glory forever and ever.4 Amen.
18 This charge mI entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with nthe prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may owage the good warfare, 19 pholding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have qmade shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are rHymenaeus and sAlexander, whom I thave handed over to Satan that they may learn not to ublaspheme.
Pray for All People
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 vfor kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and wdignified in every way. 3 This is good, and xit is pleasing in the sight of yGod our Savior, 4 who desires zall people to be saved and ato come to bthe knowledge of the truth. 5 For cthere is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man5 Christ Jesus, 6 dwho gave himself as a ransom for all, which is ethe testimony given fat the proper time. 7 gFor this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (hI am telling the truth, I am not lying), ia teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that jin every place the men should pray, klifting lholy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also mthat women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 nbut with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly owith all submissiveness. 12 pI do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 qFor Adam was formed first, rthen Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but sthe woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through tchildbearing—if they continue in ufaith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Qualifications for Overseers
1 The saying is vtrustworthy: If anyone aspires to wthe office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore xan overseer6 must be above reproach, ythe husband of one wife,7 zsober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, ahospitable, bable to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but cgentle, not quarrelsome, dnot a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity ekeeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for wGod’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may fbecome puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by goutsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into ha snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 iDeacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,8 jnot addicted to much wine, knot greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must lhold the mystery of the faith with ma clear conscience. 10 And nlet them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 oTheir wives likewise9 must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, pfaithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be qthe husband of one wife, qmanaging their children and their own households well. 13 For rthose who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
sHe10 was manifested in the flesh,
tseen by angels,
uproclaimed among the nations,
vbelieved on in the world,
wtaken up in glory.
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
Aleph
1 1 Blessed are those whose kway is blameless,
who lwalk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who mkeep his ntestimonies,
who oseek him with their whole heart,
3 who also pdo no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your qprecepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may rbe steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 sThen I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn tyour righteous rules.2
8 I will keep your statutes;
udo not utterly forsake me!
Beth
9 How can va young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 wWith my whole heart I seek you;
let me not xwander from your commandments!
11 I have ystored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
zteach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I adeclare
all the rules3 of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I bdelight
as much as in all criches.
15 I will dmeditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your eways.
16 I will fdelight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gimel
17 gDeal bountifully with your servant,
hthat I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am ia sojourner on the earth;
jhide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with klonging
for your rules4 at all times.
21 You rebuke lthe insolent, maccursed ones,
who nwander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me oscorn and contempt,
pfor I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though qprinces sit plotting against me,
your servant will rmeditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my sdelight;
they are my tcounselors.
Daleth
25 uMy soul clings to the dust;
vgive me life waccording to your word!
26 When xI told of my ways, you answered me;
yteach me your statutes!
27 zMake me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will ameditate on your wondrous works.
28 bMy soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously cteach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I dset your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
elet me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
He
33 gTeach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it hto the end.6
34 iGive me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 jLead me in the path of your commandments,
for I kdelight in it.
36 lIncline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to mselfish gain!
37 nTurn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and ogive me life in your ways.
38 pConfirm to your servant your promise,
qthat you may be feared.
39 Turn away the rreproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I slong for your precepts;
tin your righteousness give me life!
Waw
41 Let your usteadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation vaccording to your promise;
42 then wshall I have an answer for him rwho taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my xhope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk yin a wide place,
for I have zsought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies abefore kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I bfind my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48 I will clift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will dmeditate on your statutes.
Zayin
49 Remember eyour word to your servant,
in which you have made me fhope.
50 This is gmy comfort in my affliction,
that your promise hgives me life.
51 iThe insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not jturn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 kHot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my lsojourning.
55 I mremember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that nI have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 oThe Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I pentreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me qaccording to your promise.
59 When I rthink on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though sthe cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not tforget your law.
62 At umidnight I rise to praise you,
because of your vrighteous rules.
63 wI am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 xThe earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
yteach me your statutes!
Teth
65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, zaccording to your word.
66 Teach me agood judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 bBefore I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 cYou are good and do good;
dteach me your statutes.
69 eThe insolent fsmear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I gkeep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling hlike fat,
but I idelight in your law.
71 It is jgood for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 kThe law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 lYour hands have made and fashioned me;
mgive me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and nrejoice,
because I have ohoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are prighteous,
and that in qfaithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your rmercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my sdelight.
78 Let tthe insolent be put to ushame,
because they have vwronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will wmeditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you xturn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be yblameless in your statutes,
zthat I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81 My soul alongs for your salvation;
I bhope in your word.
82 My ceyes long for your promise;
I ask, d“When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have ebecome like a fwineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 gHow long must your servant endure?7
hWhen will you judge those who persecute me?
85 iThe insolent have jdug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are ksure;
they persecute me lwith falsehood; mhelp me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love ngive me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Lamedh
89 Forever, O Lord, your oword
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your pfaithfulness endures to all generations;
you have qestablished the earth, and it rstands fast.
91 By your sappointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my tdelight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have ugiven me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
vfor I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly wbroad.
Mem
97 Oh how xI love your law!
It is my ymeditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me zwiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for ayour testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than bthe aged,8
for I ckeep your precepts.
101 I dhold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103 How esweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore fI hate every false way.
Nun
105 gYour word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have hsworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your irighteous rules.
107 I am severely jafflicted;
kgive me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept lmy freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and mteach me your rules.
109 I hold my life nin my hand continually,
but I do not oforget your law.
110 The wicked have laid pa snare for me,
but qI do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are rmy heritage forever,
for they are sthe joy of my heart.
112 I tincline my heart to perform your statutes
Samekh
113 I hate vthe double-minded,
but I love wyour law.
114 You are my xhiding place and my yshield;
I zhope in your word.
115 aDepart from me, you evildoers,
that I may bkeep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me caccording to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be dput to shame in my ehope!
117 fHold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You gspurn all who hgo astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like idross,
therefore jI love your testimonies.
120 My flesh ktrembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant la pledge of good;
let not mthe insolent oppress me.
123 My neyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and oteach me your statutes.
125 I am your pservant; qgive me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I rlove your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every sfalse way.
Pe
129 Your testimonies are twonderful;
therefore my soul ukeeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts vunderstanding to the simple.
131 I wopen my mouth and xpant,
because I ylong for your commandments.
132 zTurn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 aKeep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity bget dominion over me.
134 cRedeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 dMake your face shine upon your servant,
and eteach me your statutes.
136 My eyes fshed streams of tears,
because people gdo not keep your law.
Tsadhe
137 hRighteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in irighteousness
and in all jfaithfulness.
139 My kzeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well ltried,
and your servant mloves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not nforget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is otrue.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my pdelight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Qoph
145 With my swhole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will tkeep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before udawn and cry for help;
I vhope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before wthe watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, xaccording to your justice ygive me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151 But zyou are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are atrue.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have bfounded them forever.
Resh
153 Look on my caffliction and deliver me,
for dI do not forget your law.
154 ePlead my cause and redeem me;
fgive me life according to your promise!
155 gSalvation is far from the wicked,
hfor they do not seek your statutes.
156 iGreat is your mercy, O Lord;
fgive me life according to your rules.
157 jMany are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not kswerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at lthe faithless with mdisgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I nlove your precepts!
fGive me life according to your steadfast love.
160 oThe sum of your word is ptruth,
and every one of your qrighteous rules endures forever.
Sin and Shin
161 rPrinces persecute me swithout cause,
but my heart tstands in awe of your words.
162 I trejoice at your word
like one who ufinds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love vyour law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your qrighteous rules.
165 Great wpeace have those who love your law;
xnothing can make them stumble.
166 I yhope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I vlove them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
zfor all my ways are before you.
Taw
169 Let my acry come before you, O Lord;
bgive me understanding caccording to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
ddeliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will epour forth praise,
for you fteach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for gall your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have hchosen your precepts.
174 I ilong for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my jdelight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have kgone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not lforget your commandments.
