Bible in 90 Days

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. Silas and Timothy join me in writing.

We are sending this letter to you, the members of the church in Thessalonica. You belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be given to you.

Paul Gives Thanks for the Thessalonians’ Faith

² We always thank God for all of you. We keep on praying for you. ³ We remember you when we pray to our God and Father. Your work is produced by your faith. Your service is the result of your love. Your strength to continue comes from your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ Brothers and sisters, you are loved by God. We know that he has chosen you. ⁵ Our good news didn’t come to you only in words. It came with power. It came with the Holy Spirit’s help. He gave us complete faith in what we were preaching. You know how we lived among you for your good. ⁶ We and the Lord were your examples. You followed us. You welcomed our message even when you were suffering terribly. You welcomed it with the joy the Holy Spirit gives. ⁷ So you became a model to all the believers in the lands of Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you. That was true not only in Macedonia and Achaia. Your faith in God has also become known everywhere. So we don’t have to say anything about it. ⁹ The believers themselves report the kind of welcome you gave us. They tell about how you turned away from statues of gods. And you turned to serve the living and true God. ¹⁰ They tell about how you are waiting for his Son to come from heaven. God raised him from the dead. He is Jesus. He saves us from God’s anger, and his anger is sure to come.

Paul’s Work for God in Thessalonica

2 Brothers and sisters, you know that our visit to you produced results. ² You know what happened earlier in the city of Philippi. We suffered, and people treated us very badly there. But God gave us the boldness to tell you his good news. We preached to you even when people strongly opposed us. ³ The appeal we make is based on truth. It comes from a pure heart. We are not trying to trick you. ⁴ In fact, it is just the opposite. God has approved us to preach. He has trusted us with the good news. We aren’t trying to please people. We want to please God. He tests our hearts. ⁵ As you know, we never praised you if we didn’t mean it. We didn’t put on a mask to cover up any sinful desire. God is our witness that this is true. ⁶ We were not expecting people to praise us. We were not looking for praise from you or anyone else. Yet as Christ’s apostles, we could have used our authority over you. ⁷ Instead, we were like young children when we were with you.

As a mother feeds and cares for her little children, ⁸ we cared for you. We loved you so much. So we were happy to share with you God’s good news. We were also happy to share our lives with you. ⁹ Brothers and sisters, I am sure you remember how hard we worked. We labored night and day while we preached to you God’s good news. We didn’t want to cause you any expense. ¹⁰ You are witnesses of how we lived among you believers. God is also a witness that we were holy and godly and without blame. ¹¹ You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. ¹² We gave you hope and strength. We comforted you. We really wanted you to live in a way that is worthy of God. He chooses you to enter his glorious kingdom.

¹³ We never stop thanking God for the way you received his word. You heard it from us. But you didn’t accept it as a human word. You accepted it for what it really is. It is God’s word. It is really at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, you became like the members of God’s churches in Judea. They are believers in Christ Jesus, just as you are. Your own people made you suffer. You went through the same things the church members in Judea suffered from the Jews. ¹⁵ The Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets also forced us to leave. They do not please God. They are enemies of everyone. ¹⁶ They try to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles. These Jews don’t want the Gentiles to be saved. In this way, these Jews always increase their sins to the limit. God’s anger has come on them at last.

Paul Wants to See the Believers in Thessalonica

¹⁷ Brothers and sisters, we were separated from you for a short time. Apart from you, we were like children without parents. We were no longer with you in person. But we kept you in our thoughts. We really wanted to see you. So we tried very hard to do so. ¹⁸ We wanted to come to you. Again and again I, Paul, wanted to come. But Satan blocked our way. ¹⁹ What is our hope? What is our joy? When our Lord Jesus returns, what is the crown we will delight in? Isn’t it you? ²⁰ Yes, you are our glory and our joy.

3 We couldn’t wait any longer. So we thought it was best to be left by ourselves in Athens. ² We sent our brother Timothy to give you strength and hope in your faith. He works together with us in God’s service to spread the good news about Christ. ³ We sent him so that no one would be upset by times of testing. You know very well that we have to go through times of testing. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, here is what we kept telling you. We were telling you that our enemies would make us suffer. As you know very well, it has turned out that way. ⁵ That’s the reason I sent someone to find out about your faith. I couldn’t wait any longer. I was afraid that Satan had tempted you in some way. Then our work among you would have been useless.

Timothy Brings a Good Report

⁶ But Timothy has come to us from you just now. He has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us. He has also said that you desire to see us, just as we desire to see you. ⁷ Brothers and sisters, in all our trouble and suffering your faith encouraged us. ⁸ Now we really live, because you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you? We thank God because of all the joy we have in his presence. We have this joy because of you. ¹⁰ Night and day we pray very hard that we will see you again. We want to give you what is missing in your faith.

¹¹ Now may a way be opened up for us to come to you. May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus do this. ¹² May the Lord make your love grow. May it be like a rising flood. May your love for one another increase. May it also increase for everyone else. May it be just like our love for you. ¹³ May the Lord give you strength in your hearts. Then you will be holy and without blame in the sight of our God and Father. May that be true when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Living in a Way That Pleases God

4 Now I want to talk about some other matters, brothers and sisters. We taught you how to live in a way that pleases God. In fact, that is how you are living. In the name of the Lord Jesus we ask and beg you to do it more and more. ² You know the directions we gave you. They were given by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ God wants you to be made holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins. ⁴ He wants all of you to learn to control your own bodies. You must live in a way that is holy. You must live with honor. ⁵ Don’t desire to commit sexual sins like people who don’t know God. ⁶ None of you should sin against your brother or sister by doing that. You should not take advantage of your brother or sister. The Lord will punish everyone who commits these kinds of sins. We have already told you and warned you about this. ⁷ That’s because God chose us to live pure lives. He wants us to be holy. ⁸ Suppose someone refuses to accept our teaching. They are not turning their back on us. They are turning their back on God. This same God gives you his Holy Spirit.

⁹ We don’t need to write to you about your love for one another. God himself has taught you to love one another. ¹⁰ In fact, you do love all God’s family all around Macedonia. Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to love one another more and more. ¹¹ And do everything you can to live a quiet life. You should mind your own business. And work with your hands, just as we told you to. ¹² Then unbelievers will have respect for your everyday life. And you won’t have to depend on anyone.

What Happens to Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we want you to know what happens to those who die. We don’t want you to mourn, as other people do. They mourn because they don’t have any hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and rose again. When he returns, many who believe in him will have died already. We believe that God will bring them back with Jesus. ¹⁵ This agrees with what the Lord has said. When the Lord comes, many of us will still be alive. We tell you that we will certainly not go up before those who have died. ¹⁶ The Lord himself will come down from heaven. We will hear a loud command. We will hear the voice of the leader of the angels. We will hear a blast from God’s trumpet. Many who believe in Christ will have died already. They will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them. We will be taken up in the clouds. We will meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with him forever. ¹⁸ So encourage one another with these words of comfort.

The Day of the Lord Is Coming

5 Brothers and sisters, we don’t have to write to you about times and dates. ² You know very well how the day of the Lord will come. It will come like a thief in the night. ³ People will be saying that everything is peaceful and safe. Then suddenly they will be destroyed. It will happen like birth pains coming on a pregnant woman. None of the people will escape.

⁴ Brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness. So that day should not surprise you as a thief would. ⁵ All of you are children of the light. You are children of the day. We don’t belong to the night. We don’t belong to the darkness. ⁶ So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves. ⁷ Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put on our chest the armor of faith and love. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet. ⁹ God didn’t choose us to receive his anger. He chose us to receive salvation because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. ¹⁰ Jesus died for us. Some will be alive when he comes. Others will be dead. Either way, we will live together with him. ¹¹ So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.

Final Teachings

¹² Brothers and sisters, we ask you to accept the godly leaders who work hard among you. They care for you in the Lord. They correct you. ¹³ Have a lot of respect for them. Love them because of what they do. Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to warn certain people. These people don’t want to work. Instead, they make trouble. We are also asking you to encourage those who have lost hope. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that no one pays back one wrong act with another. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Don’t try to stop what the Holy Spirit is doing. ²⁰ Don’t treat prophecies as if they weren’t important. ²¹ But test all prophecies. Hold on to what is good. ²² Say no to every kind of evil.

²³ God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴ The God who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

²⁷ While the Lord is watching, here is what I command you. Have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. Silas and Timothy join me in writing.

We are sending this letter to you, the members of the church in Thessalonica. You belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

² May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul Prays and Gives Thanks

³ Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. That is only right, because your faith is growing more and more. We also thank God that the love you all have for one another is increasing. ⁴ So among God’s churches we brag about the fact that you don’t give up easily. We brag about your faith in all the suffering and testing you are going through.

⁵ All of this proves that when God judges, he is fair. So you will be considered worthy to enter God’s kingdom. You are suffering for his kingdom. ⁶ God is fair. He will pay back trouble to those who give you trouble. ⁷ He will help you who are troubled. And he will also help us. All these things will happen when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come in blazing fire. He will come with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who don’t know God. He will punish those who don’t obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be destroyed forever. They will be shut out of heaven. They will never see the glory of the Lord’s strength. ¹⁰ All these things will happen when he comes. On that day his glory will be seen in his holy people. Everyone who has believed will be amazed when they see him. This includes you, because you believed the witness we gave you.

¹¹ Keeping this in mind, we never stop praying for you. Our God has chosen you. We pray that he will make you worthy of his choice. We pray he will make every good thing you want to do come true. We pray that he will do this by his power. We pray that he will make perfect all that you have done by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory through what you have done. We also pray that you will receive glory through what he has done. We pray all these things in keeping with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Man of Sin

2 Brothers and sisters, we want to ask you something. It has to do with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It concerns the time when we will go to be with him. ² What if you receive a message that is supposed to have come from us? What if it says that the day of the Lord has already come? If it does, we ask you not to become easily upset or alarmed. Don’t be upset whether that message is spoken or written or prophesied. ³ Don’t let anyone trick you in any way. That day will not come until people rise up against God. It will not come until the man of sin appears. He is a marked man. He is headed for ruin. ⁴ He will oppose everything that is called God. He will oppose everything that is worshiped. He will give himself power over everything. He will set himself up in God’s temple. He will announce that he himself is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember? When I was with you, I used to tell you these things. ⁶ Now you know what is holding back the man of sin. He is held back so that he can make his appearance at the right time. ⁷ The secret power of sin is already at work. But the one who now holds back that power will keep doing it until he is taken out of the way. ⁸ Then the man of sin will appear. The Lord Jesus will overthrow him with the breath of his mouth. The glorious brightness of Jesus’ coming will destroy the man of sin. ⁹ The coming of the man of sin will fit how Satan works. The man of sin will show his power through all kinds of signs and wonders. These signs and wonders will lead people astray. ¹⁰ So people who are dying will be fooled by this evil. These people are dying because they refuse to love the truth. The truth would save them. ¹¹ So God will fool them completely. Then they will believe the lie. ¹² Many will not believe the truth. They will take pleasure in evil. They will be judged.

Remain Strong in the Faith

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. The Lord loves you. That’s because God chose you as the first to be saved. Salvation comes through the Holy Spirit’s work. He makes people holy. It also comes through believing the truth. ¹⁴ He chose you to be saved by accepting the good news that we preach. And you will share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, remain strong in the faith. Hold on to what we taught you. We passed our teachings on to you by what we preached and wrote.

¹⁶ Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father loved us. By his grace God gave us comfort that will last forever. The hope he gave us is good. May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father ¹⁷ comfort your hearts. May they make you strong in every good thing you do and say.

Paul Asks for Prayer

3 Now I want to talk about some other matters. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread quickly. Pray that others will honor it just as you did. ² And pray that we will be saved from sinful and evil people. Not everyone is a believer. ³ But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you. He will guard you from the evil one. ⁴ We trust in the Lord. So we are sure that you are doing the things we tell you to do. And we are sure that you will keep on doing them. ⁵ May the Lord fill your hearts with God’s love. May Christ give you the strength to go on.

Paul Warns Those Who Do Not Want to Work

⁶ Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you. We give it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work and makes trouble. Keep away from any believer who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us. ⁷ You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you. ⁸ We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. We worked night and day. We worked very hard so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you. ⁹ We worked, even though we have the right to receive help from you. We did it in order to be a model for you to follow. ¹⁰ Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, “Anyone who won’t work shouldn’t be allowed to eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some people among you don’t want to work and are making trouble. They aren’t really busy. Instead, they are bothering others. ¹² We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. So we strongly command people like that to settle down. They have to earn the food they eat. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, don’t ever get tired of doing what is good.

¹⁴ Keep an eye on anyone who doesn’t obey the teachings in our letter. Don’t have anything to do with that person. Then they will feel ashamed. ¹⁵ But don’t think of them as an enemy. Instead, warn them as you would warn another believer.

Final Greetings

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

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own handwriting. That’s how I prove that I am the author of all my letters. I always do it that way.

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

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus, just as God our Savior commanded. Christ Jesus also commanded it. We have put our hope in him.

² Timothy, I am sending you this letter. You are my true son in the faith.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy and peace.

Paul Warns Timothy to Oppose False Teachers

³ Timothy, stay there in Ephesus. That is what I told you to do when I went into Macedonia. I want you to command certain people not to teach things that aren’t true. ⁴ And command them not to spend their time on stories that are made up. They must not waste time on family histories that never end. These things only lead to fights about ideas. They don’t help God’s work move forward. His work is done by faith. ⁵ Love is the purpose of my command. Love comes from a pure heart. It comes from a good sense of what is right and wrong. It comes from faith that is honest and true. ⁶ Some have turned from these teachings. They would rather talk about things that have no meaning. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law. And they are very sure about that law. But they don’t know what they are talking about.

⁸ We know that the law is good if it is used properly. ⁹ We also know that the law isn’t made for godly people. It is made for those who break the law. It is for those who refuse to obey. It is for ungodly and sinful people. It is for those who aren’t holy and who don’t believe. It is for those who kill their fathers or mothers. It is for murderers. ¹⁰ It is for those who commit sexual sins. It is for those who commit homosexual acts. It is for people who buy and sell slaves. It is for liars. It is for people who tell lies in court. It is for those who are a witness to things that aren’t true. And it is for anything else that is the opposite of true teaching. ¹¹ True teaching agrees with the good news about the glory of the blessed God. He trusted me with that good news.

The Lord Pours Out His Grace on Paul

¹² I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me strength. I thank him that he considered me faithful. I thank him for appointing me to serve him. ¹³ I used to speak evil things against Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers. I really pushed them around. But God showed me mercy anyway. I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer. ¹⁴ Our Lord poured out more and more of his grace on me. Along with it came faith and love from Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Here is a saying that you can trust. It should be accepted completely. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst sinner of all. ¹⁶ But for that very reason, God showed me mercy. And I am the worst of sinners. He showed me mercy so that Christ Jesus could show that he is very patient. I was an example for those who would come to believe in him. Then they would receive eternal life. ¹⁷ The eternal King will never die. He can’t be seen. He is the only God. Give him honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul Commands Timothy

¹⁸ My son Timothy, I am giving you this command. It is in keeping with the prophecies once made about you. By remembering them, you can fight the battle well. ¹⁹ Then you will hold on to faith. You will hold on to a good sense of what is right and wrong. Some have not accepted this knowledge of right and wrong. So they have destroyed their faith. They are like a ship that has sunk. ²⁰ Hymenaeus and Alexander are among them. I have handed them over to Satan. That will teach them not to speak evil things against God.

Teachings About Worship

2 First, I want you to pray for all people. Ask God to help and bless them. Give thanks for them. ² Pray for kings. Pray for everyone who is in authority. Pray that we can live peaceful and quiet lives. And pray that we will be godly and holy. ³ This is good, and it pleases God our Savior. ⁴ He wants all people to be saved. He wants them to come to know the truth. ⁵ There is only one God. And there is only one go-between for God and human beings. He is the man Christ Jesus. ⁶ He gave himself to pay for the sins of all people. We have been told this message at just the right time. ⁷ I was appointed to be a messenger and an apostle to preach the good news. I am telling the truth. I’m not lying. God appointed me to be a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

⁸ So I want the men in every place to pray. I want them to lift up holy hands. I don’t want them to be angry when they pray. I don’t want them to argue. ⁹ In the same way, I want the women to be careful how they dress. They should wear clothes that are right and proper. They shouldn’t wear their hair in very fancy styles. They shouldn’t wear gold or pearls. They shouldn’t wear clothes that cost a lot of money. ¹⁰ Instead, they should put on good works as if good works were their clothes. This is proper for women who claim to worship God.

¹¹ When a woman is learning, she should be quiet. She should follow her leaders in every way. ¹² I do not let women teach or take authority over a man. They must be quiet. ¹³ That’s because Adam was made first. Then Eve was made. ¹⁴ Adam was not the one who was tricked. The woman was tricked and became a sinner. ¹⁵ Will women be saved by having children? Only if they keep on believing, loving, and leading a holy life in a proper way.

Rules for Choosing Leaders and Deacons

3 Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, they want to do a good work for God and people. ² A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. ³ He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him. And he must do this in a way that gains him respect. ⁵ Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶ The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil. ⁷ The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil’s trap.

⁸ In the same way, deacons must be worthy of respect. They must be honest and true. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get money by cheating people. ⁹ They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith. Even their own minds tell them to do that. ¹⁰ First they must be tested. Then let them serve as deacons if there is nothing against them.

¹¹ In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his children and family well. ¹³ Those who have served well earn the full respect of others. They also become more sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s Reasons for Giving Instructions to Timothy

¹⁴ I hope I can come to you soon. But now I am writing these instructions to you. ¹⁵ Then if I have to put off my visit, you will know how people should act in God’s family. The family of God is the church of the living God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ There is no doubt that true godliness comes from this great mystery.

4 The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them. ² Teachings like those come from liars who pretend to be what they are not. Their sense of what is right and wrong has been destroyed. It’s as though it has been burned with a hot iron. ³ They do not allow people to get married. They order them not to eat certain foods. But God created those foods. So people who believe and know the truth should receive them and give thanks for them. ⁴ Everything God created is good. You shouldn’t turn anything down. Instead, you should thank God for it. ⁵ The word of God and prayer make it holy.

⁶ Point out these things to the brothers and sisters. Then you will serve Christ Jesus well. You will show that you’ve grown in the truths of the faith. You will show that you’ve been trained by the good teaching you’ve obeyed. ⁷ Don’t have anything to do with godless stories and silly tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come. ⁹ This is the truth you can trust and accept completely. ¹⁰ This is why we work and try so hard. It’s because we have put our hope in the living God. He is the Savior of all people. Most of all, he is the Savior of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure. ¹³ Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture out loud to one another. Spend your time preaching and teaching. ¹⁴ Don’t fail to use the gift the Holy Spirit gave you. He gave it to you through a prophecy from God. It was given when the elders placed their hands on you.

¹⁵ Keep on doing these things. Give them your complete attention. Then everyone will see how you are coming along. ¹⁶ Be careful of how you live and what you believe. Never give up. Then you will save yourself and those who hear you.

Instructions About Widows, Elders and Slaves

5 Correct an older man in a way that shows respect. Make an appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as if they were your brothers. ² Treat older women as if they were your mothers. Treat younger women as if they were your sisters. Be completely pure in the way you treat them.

³ Take care of the widows who really need help. ⁴ But suppose a widow has children or grandchildren. They should first learn to put their faith into practice. They should care for their own family. In that way they will pay back their parents and grandparents. That pleases God. ⁵ A widow who really needs help and is left all alone puts her hope in God. Night and day she keeps on praying. Night and day she asks God for help. ⁶ But a widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still living. ⁷ Give these instructions to the people. Then no one can be blamed. ⁸ Everyone should provide for their own relatives. Most of all, everyone should take care of their own family. If they don’t, they have left the faith. They are worse than someone who doesn’t believe.

⁹ No widow should be put on the list of widows unless she is more than 60 years old. She must also have been faithful to her husband. ¹⁰ She must be well known for the good things she does. That includes bringing up children. It includes inviting guests into her home. It includes washing the feet of the Lord’s people. It includes helping those who are in trouble. A widow should spend her time doing all kinds of good things.

¹¹ Don’t put younger widows on that kind of list. They might want pleasure more than they want Christ. Then they would want to get married again. ¹² If they do that, they will be judged. They have broken their first promise. ¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of having nothing to do. They go around from house to house. They waste their time. They also bother other people and say things that make no sense. They shouldn’t say those things. ¹⁴ So here is the advice I give to younger widows. Get married. Have children. Take care of your own homes. Don’t give the enemy the chance to tell lies about you. ¹⁵ In fact, some have already turned away to follow Satan.

¹⁶ Suppose a woman is a believer and takes care of widows. She should continue to help them. She shouldn’t let the church pay the expenses. Then the church can help the widows who really need it.

¹⁷ The elders who do the church’s work well are worth twice as much honor. That is true in a special way of elders who preach and teach. ¹⁸ Scripture says, “Do not stop an ox from eating while it helps separate the grain from the straw.” (Deuteronomy 25:4) Scripture also says, “Workers are worthy of their pay.” (Luke 10:7) ¹⁹ Don’t believe a charge against an elder unless two or three witnesses bring it. ²⁰ But those elders who are sinning should be corrected in front of everyone. This will be a warning to the others. ²¹ I command you to follow these instructions. I command you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels. Treat everyone the same. Don’t favor one person over another.

²² Don’t be too quick to place your hands on others to set them apart to serve God. Don’t take part in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Stop drinking only water. If your stomach is upset, drink a little wine. It can also help the other sicknesses you often have.

²⁴ The sins of some people are easy to see. They are already being judged. Others will be judged later. ²⁵ In the same way, good works are easy to see. But even good works that are hard to see can’t stay hidden forever.

6 All who are forced to serve as slaves should consider their masters worthy of full respect. Then people will not speak evil things against God’s name and against what we teach. ² Some slaves have masters who are believers. They shouldn’t show their masters disrespect just because they are also believers. Instead, they should serve them even better. That’s because their masters are loved by them as believers. These masters are committed to caring for their slaves.

People Who Teach Lies or Love Money

These are the things you are to teach. Try hard to get the believers to do them. ³ Suppose someone teaches something different than I have taught. Suppose that person doesn’t agree with the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Suppose they don’t agree with godly teaching. ⁴ Then that person is proud and doesn’t understand anything. They like to argue more than they should. They can’t agree about what words mean. All of this results in wanting what others have. It causes fighting, harmful talk, and evil distrust. ⁵ It stirs up trouble all the time among people whose minds are twisted by sin. The truth they once had has been taken away from them. They think they can get rich by being godly.

⁶ You gain a lot when you live a godly life. But you must be happy with what you have. ⁷ We didn’t bring anything into the world. We can’t take anything out of it. ⁸ If we have food and clothing, we will be happy with that. ⁹ People who want to get rich are tempted. They fall into a trap. They are tripped up by wanting many foolish and harmful things. Those who live like that are dragged down by what they do. They are destroyed and die. ¹⁰ Love for money causes all kinds of evil. Some people want to get rich. They have wandered away from the faith. They have wounded themselves with many sorrows.

Paul Gives a Final Command to Timothy

¹¹ But you are a man of God. Run away from all these things. Try hard to do what is right and godly. Have faith, love and gentleness. Hold on to what you believe. ¹² Fight the good fight along with all other believers. Take hold of eternal life. You were chosen for it when you openly told others what you believe. Many witnesses heard you. ¹³ God gives life to everything. Christ Jesus told the truth when he was a witness in front of Pontius Pilate. In the sight of God and Christ, I give you a command. ¹⁴ Obey it until our Lord Jesus Christ appears. Obey it completely. Then no one can find fault with it or you. ¹⁵ God will bring Jesus back at a time that pleases him. God is the blessed and only Ruler. He is the greatest King of all. He is the most powerful Lord of all. ¹⁶ God is the only one who can’t die. He lives in light that no one can get close to. No one has seen him. No one can see him. Honor and power belong to him forever. Amen.

¹⁷ Command people who are rich in this world not to be proud. Tell them not to put their hope in riches. Wealth is so uncertain. Command those who are rich to put their hope in God. He richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ Command the rich to do what is good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. They must give freely. They must be willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way, they will store up true riches for themselves. It will provide a firm basis for the next life. Then they will take hold of the life that really is life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what God has trusted you with. Turn away from godless chatter. Stay away from opposing ideas that are falsely called knowledge. ²¹ Some people believe them. By doing that they have turned away from the faith.

May God’s grace be with you all.

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. He sent me to tell about the promise of life found in Christ Jesus.

² Timothy, I am sending you this letter. You are my dear son.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy and peace.

Paul Gives Thanks

³ I thank God, whom I serve as did our people of long ago. I serve God, knowing that what I have done is right. Night and day I thank God for you. Night and day I always remember you in my prayers. ⁴ I remember your tears. I long to see you so that I can be filled with joy. ⁵ I remember your honest and true faith. It was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. And I am certain that it is now alive in you also.

Paul Encourages Timothy to Be Faithful

⁶ This is why I remind you to help God’s gift grow, just as a small spark grows into a fire. God put his gift in you when I placed my hands on you. ⁷ God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves. ⁸ So don’t be ashamed of the message about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that. ⁹ God has saved us. He has chosen us to live a holy life. It wasn’t because of anything we have done. It was because of his own purpose and grace. Through Christ Jesus, God gave us this grace even before time began. ¹⁰ It has now been made known through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death. Because of the good news, he has brought life out into the light. That life never dies. ¹¹ I was appointed to announce the good news. I was appointed to be an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That’s why I’m suffering the way I am. But this gives me no reason to be ashamed. That’s because I know who I have believed in. I am sure he is able to take care of what I have given him. I can trust him with it until the day he returns as judge.

¹³ Follow what you heard from me as the pattern of true teaching. Follow it with faith and love because you belong to Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the truth of the good news that you were trusted with. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Examples of Faithful and Unfaithful People

¹⁵ You know that all the believers in Asia Minor have deserted me. They include Phygelus and Hermogenes.

¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to all who live in the house of Onesiphorus. He often encouraged me. He was not ashamed that I was being held by chains. ¹⁷ In fact, it was just the opposite. When he was in Rome, he looked everywhere for me. At last he found me. ¹⁸ May Onesiphorus find mercy from the Lord on the day Jesus returns as judge! You know very well how many ways Onesiphorus helped me in Ephesus.

Paul Again Encourages Timothy to Be Faithful

2 My son, be strong in the grace that is yours in Christ Jesus. ² You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to people you can trust the things you’ve heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also. ³ Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, join with me in suffering. ⁴ A soldier does not take part in things that don’t have anything to do with the army. Instead, he tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ It is the same for anyone who takes part in a sport. They don’t receive the winner’s crown unless they play by the rules. ⁶ The farmer who works hard should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Think about what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand what all of it means.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David’s family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news. ⁹ I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God’s word is not held back by chains. ¹⁰ So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever.

¹¹ Here is a saying you can trust.

What to Do About False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. While God is watching, warn them not to argue about words. That doesn’t have any value. It only destroys those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly. ¹⁶ Stay away from godless chatter. Those who take part in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like a deadly sickness. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of those teachers. ¹⁸ They have turned away from the truth. They say that the time when people will rise from the dead has already come. They destroy the faith of some people. ¹⁹ But God’s solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. “The Lord knows who his own people are.” (Numbers 16:5) Also, “All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil.”

²⁰ In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes. ²¹ Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work.

²² Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights. ²⁴ Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone. ²⁵ They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth. ²⁶ Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted.

3 Here is what I want you to know. There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy. ³ They won’t love others. They won’t forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good. ⁴ They will turn against their friends. They will act without thinking. They will think they are better than others. They will love what pleases them instead of loving God. ⁵ They will act as if they were serving God. But what they do will show that they have turned their backs on God’s power. Have nothing to do with these people.

⁶ They are the kind who trick their way into the homes of some women. These women are ready to believe anything. And they take control over these women. These women are loaded down with sins. They give in to all kinds of evil desires. ⁷ They are always learning. But they are never able to come to know the truth. ⁸ Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. In the same way, the teachers I’m talking about oppose the truth. Their minds are twisted. As far as the faith is concerned, God doesn’t accept them. ⁹ They won’t get very far. Just like Jannes and Jambres, their foolish ways will be clear to everyone.

Paul Gives a Final Command to Timothy

¹⁰ But you know all about my teaching. You know how I live and what I live for. You know about my faith and love. You know how patient I am. You know I haven’t given up. ¹¹ You know that I was treated badly. You know that I suffered greatly. You know what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. You know how badly I have been treated. But the Lord saved me from all my troubles. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be treated badly. ¹³ Evil people and pretenders will go from bad to worse. They will fool others, and others will fool them. ¹⁴ But I want you to continue to follow what you have learned and are sure about. You know the people you learned it from. ¹⁵ You have known the Holy Scriptures ever since you were a little child. They are able to teach you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. ¹⁷ By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.

4 I give you a command in the sight of God and Christ Jesus. Christ will judge the living and the dead. Because he and his kingdom are coming, here is the command I give you. ² Preach the word. Be ready to serve God in good times and bad. Correct people’s mistakes. Warn them. Encourage them with words of hope. Be very patient as you do these things. Teach them carefully. ³ The time will come when people won’t put up with true teaching. Instead, they will try to satisfy their own desires. They will gather a large number of teachers around them. The teachers will say what the people want to hear. ⁴ The people will turn their ears away from the truth. They will turn to stories that aren’t true. ⁵ But I want you to keep your head no matter what happens. Don’t give up when times are hard. Work to spread the good news. Do everything God has given you to do.

⁶ I am already being poured out like a drink offering. The time when I will leave is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is a crown waiting for me. It is given to those who are right with God. The Lord, who judges fairly, will give it to me on the day he returns. He will not give it only to me. He will also give it to all those who are longing for him to return.

Personal Words

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly. ¹⁰ Demas has deserted me. He has gone to Thessalonica. He left me because he loved this world. Crescens has gone to Galatia. Titus has gone to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He helps me in my work for the Lord. ¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring my coat. I left it with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books. Most of all, bring the ones made out of animal skins.

¹⁴ Remember Alexander, the one who works with metal. He did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he has done. ¹⁵ You too should watch out for him. He strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶ The first time I was put on trial, no one came to help me. Everyone deserted me. I hope they will be forgiven for it. ¹⁷ The Lord stood at my side. He gave me the strength to preach the whole message. Then all the Gentiles heard it. I was saved from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will save me from every evil attack. He will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Give him glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Greet Priscilla and Aquila. Greet those who live in the house of Onesiphorus.

²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth. I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹ Do your best to get here before winter.

Eubulus greets you. So do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

²² May the Lord be with your spirit. May God’s grace be with you all.

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. I serve God, and I am an apostle of Jesus Christ. God sent me to help his chosen people believe in Christ more and more. God sent me to help them understand even more the truth that leads to godly living. ² That belief and understanding lead to the hope of eternal life. Before time began, God promised to give that life. And he does not lie. ³ Now, at just the right time, he has made his promise clear. He did this through the preaching that he trusted me with. God our Savior has commanded all these things.

⁴ Titus, I am sending you this letter. You are my true son in the faith we share.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

Choosing Elders Who Love What Is Good

⁵ I left you on the island of Crete. I did this because there were some things that hadn’t been finished. I wanted you to put them in order. I also wanted you to appoint elders in every town. I told you how to do it. ⁶ An elder must be without blame. He must be faithful to his wife. His children must be believers. They must not give anyone a reason to say that they are wild and don’t obey. ⁷ A church leader takes care of God’s family. That’s why he must be without blame. He must not look after only his own interests. He must not get angry easily. He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must not try to get money by cheating people. ⁸ Instead, a church leader must welcome people into his home. He must love what is good. He must control his mind and feelings. He must do what is right. He must be holy. He must control the desires of his body. ⁹ The message as it has been taught can be trusted. He must hold firmly to it. Then he will be able to use true teaching to comfort others and build them up. He will be able to prove that people who oppose it are wrong.

Warning People Who Fail to Do Good

¹⁰ Many people refuse to obey God. All they do is talk about things that mean nothing. They try to fool others. No one does these things more than the circumcision group. ¹¹ They must be stopped. They are making trouble for entire families. They do this by teaching things they shouldn’t. They do these things to cheat people. ¹² One of Crete’s own prophets has a saying. He says, “People from Crete are always liars. They are evil beasts. They don’t want to work. They live only to eat.” ¹³ This saying is true. So give a strong warning to people who refuse to obey God. Then they will understand the faith correctly. ¹⁴ Then they will pay no attention to Jewish stories that aren’t true. They won’t listen to the mere human commands of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To people who are pure, all things are pure. But to those who have twisted minds and don’t believe, nothing is pure. In fact, their minds and their sense of what is right and wrong are twisted. ¹⁶ They claim to know God. But their actions show they don’t know him. They are hated by God. They refuse to obey him. They aren’t fit to do anything good.

Doing Good Because of the Good News

2 But what you teach must agree with true teaching. ² Tell the older men that in anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of respect. They must control themselves. They must have true faith. They must love others. They must not give up.

³ In the same way, teach the older women to lead a holy life. They must not tell lies about others. They must not let wine control them. Instead, they must teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can advise the younger women to love their husbands and children. ⁵ The younger women must control themselves and be pure. They must take good care of their homes. They must be kind. They must follow the lead of their husbands. Then no one will be able to speak evil things against God’s word.

⁶ In the same way, help the young men to control themselves. ⁷ Do what is good. Set an example for them in everything. When you teach, be honest and serious. ⁸ No one can question the truth. So teach what is true. Then those who oppose you will be ashamed. That’s because they will have nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Teach slaves to obey their masters in everything they do. Tell them to try to please their masters. They must not talk back to them. ¹⁰ They must not steal from them. Instead, they must show that they can be trusted completely. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior appealing in every way.

¹¹ God’s grace has now appeared. By his grace, God offers to save all people. ¹² His grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful desires. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world. ¹³ That’s how we should live as we wait for the blessed hope God has given us. We are waiting for Jesus Christ to appear in his glory. He is our great God and Savior. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us. By doing that, he set us free from all evil. He wanted to make us pure. He wanted us to be his very own people. He wanted us to desire to do what is good.

¹⁵ These are the things you should teach. Encourage people and give them hope. Correct them with full authority. Don’t let anyone look down on you.

Do What Is Good Because You Are Saved

3 Remind God’s people to obey rulers and authorities. Remind them to be ready to do what is good. ² Tell them not to speak evil things against anyone. Remind them to live in peace. They must consider the needs of others. They must always be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time we too acted like fools. We didn’t obey God. We were tricked. We were controlled by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We were full of evil. We wanted what belongs to others. People hated us, and we hated one another. ⁴ But the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. ⁵ He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life. ⁶ God poured out the Spirit on us freely. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done. ⁷ His grace made us right with God. So now we have received the hope of eternal life as God’s children. ⁸ You can trust this saying. These things are important. Treat them that way. Then those who trust in God will be careful to commit themselves to doing good. These things are excellent. They are for the good of everyone.

⁹ But keep away from foolish disagreements. Don’t argue about family histories. Don’t make trouble. Don’t fight about what the law teaches. Don’t argue about things like that. It doesn’t do any good. It doesn’t help anyone. ¹⁰ Warn anyone who tries to get believers to separate from one another. Warn that person more than once. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You can be sure that people like this are twisted and sinful. Their own actions judge them.

Final Words

¹² I will send Artemas or Tychicus to you. Then do your best to come to me at Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos. Send them on their way. See that they have everything they need.

¹⁴ Our people must learn to commit themselves to doing what is good. Then they can provide for people when they are in great need. If they do that, their lives won’t turn out to be useless.

¹⁵ Everyone who is with me sends you greetings.

Greet those who love us in the faith.

May God’s grace be with you all.

¹ I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. Our brother Timothy joins me in writing.

Philemon, we are sending you this letter. You are our dear friend. You work together with us. ² We are also sending it to our sister Apphia and to Archippus. He is a soldier of Christ together with us. And we are sending it to the church that meets in your home.

³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul Prays and Gives Thanks

⁴ I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers. ⁵ That’s because I hear about your love for all God’s people. I also hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that what we share by believing will help you understand even more. Then you will completely understand every good thing we share by believing in Christ. ⁷ Your love has given me great joy. It has encouraged me. My brother, you have renewed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul Makes an Appeal for Onesimus

⁸ Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold. I could order you to do what you should do anyway. ⁹ But we love each other. And I would rather appeal to you on the basis of that love. I, Paul, am an old man. I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. ¹⁰ I am an old man, and I’m in prison. This is how I make my appeal to you for my son Onesimus. He became a son to me while I was being held in chains. ¹¹ Before that, he was useless to you. But now he has become useful to you and to me.

¹² I’m sending Onesimus back to you. All my love for him goes with him. ¹³ I’m being held in chains because of the good news. So I would have liked to keep Onesimus with me. And he could take your place in helping me. ¹⁴ But I didn’t want to do anything unless you agreed. Any favor you do must be done because you want to do it, not because you have to. ¹⁵ Onesimus was separated from you for a little while. Maybe that was so you could have him back forever. ¹⁶ You could have him back not as a slave. Instead, he would be better than a slave. He would be a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even more dear to you. He is dear to you not only as another human being. He is also dear to you as a brother in the Lord.

¹⁷ Do you think of me as a believer who works together with you? Then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ Has he done anything wrong to you? Does he owe you anything? Then charge it to me. ¹⁹ I’ll pay it back. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I won’t even mention that you owe me your life. ²⁰ My brother, we both belong to the Lord. So I wish I could receive some benefit from you. Renew my heart. We know that Christ is the one who really renews it. ²¹ I’m sure you will obey. So I’m writing to you. I know you will do even more than I ask.

²² There is one more thing. Have a guest room ready for me. I hope I can return to all of you in answer to your prayers.

²³ Epaphras sends you greetings. Together with me, he is a prisoner because of Christ Jesus.

²⁴ Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke work together with me. They also send you greetings.

²⁵ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.