Bible in 90 Days

Greetings

1 Paul, Silvanus,^[a] and Timothy,

To the community of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:

Grace to you and shalom.

Good News with Power

² We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers—continually ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadiness of hope in our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ⁴ We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that you are chosen, ⁵ because our Good News did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Ruach ha-Kodesh and with complete certainty—just as you know what kind of men we proved to be while among you for your sake.

⁶ You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having accepted the message in much tribulation, with the joy of the Ruach ha-Kodesh. ⁷ So you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For the word of the Lord rang out from you—not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faithfulness toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. ⁹ For they themselves bring news about what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Yeshua, the One delivering us from the coming wrath.

Cherishing Spiritual Children

2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not in vain. ² On the contrary, after we had first suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know,^[b] we had boldness in our God to tell you the Good News of God—even in the midst of much opposition. ³ For our urging is not out of deceit or impure motives or trickery. ⁴ But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we declare it—not pleasing men but rather God, who examines our hearts.^[c]

⁵ For as you know and God is witness, we never came with a word of flattery or a motive of greed— ⁶ or seeking glory from people, whether from you or from others, ⁷ even though we could have thrown our weight around as emissaries of Messiah. Rather, we proved to be infants^[d] among you. Like a nursing mother^[e] cherishes her children, ⁸ in this way we were yearning for you. We were delighted to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our very souls, because you had become dear to us.

⁹ For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship—working night and day, so as not to burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the Good News of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, along with God, of how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe. ¹¹ For you know how, as a father with his own children, ¹² we exhorted and encouraged and urged each one of you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

¹³ For this reason, we also thank God constantly that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is—the word of God, which does its work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s communities in Messiah Yeshua that are in Judea—for you suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen as they did from the Judean leaders, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Yeshua and the prophets and drove us out.^[f] They are not pleasing to God and hostile to all people, ¹⁶ hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they might be saved. As a result, they constantly fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last.

Longing to Visit and Reassure

¹⁷ But brothers and sisters, after we were orphaned by separation from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we were all the more eager in our great longing to see you face to face. ¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—but satan thwarted us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting^[g] before our Lord Yeshua at His coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy!

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind alone in Athens. ² We sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the Good News of Messiah, in order to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know we are destined for this. ⁴ For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer persecution—just as has happened, as you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faithfulness, for fear that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be in vain.

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you and brought us the good news of your faithfulness and love, and that you always have good memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you— ⁷ because of this, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and trouble, we were comforted about you by your faithfulness. ⁸ For now we live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanks would be enough to offer to God, in return for all the joy we feel before our God because of you? ¹⁰ Night time and day time we keep praying more than ever to see you face to face,^[h] and mend any shortcomings in your faith.

Thanks, Joy, and Love Before God

¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself and Yeshua our Lord direct our way to you. ¹² May the Lord also cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you, ¹³ in order to strengthen your hearts as blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Yeshua with all His kedoshim. Amen.

Walking in Sanctification

4 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and appeal in the Lord Yeshua—just as you received from us the way you ought to walk and please God (as in fact you are walking)—that you keep progressing more and more. ^{[i] 2} For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Yeshua. ³ For this is the will of God—your sanctification:^[j]

to abstain from sexual immorality;

⁴ to know, each of you, how to gain control over his own body^[k] in holiness and honor— ⁵ not in the passion of lust like the pagans who do not know God;

⁶ and not to overstep his brother and take advantage of him in this matter—

because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly warned you. ⁷ For God did not call us to impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Consequently, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but God, who gives His Ruach ha-Kodesh to you.

⁹ Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you—for you yourselves are taught by God^[l] to love one another. ¹⁰ In fact, you even practice it toward all your brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to keep progressing more and more ¹¹ and aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, just as we directed you— ¹² so you may behave properly toward outsiders and not have need of anything.

The Shofar Call of Messiah’s Return

¹³ Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, so with Him God will also bring those who have fallen asleep in Yeshua. ^{[m] 15} For this we tell you, by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar,^[n] and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air—and so we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Keep Watch for the Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning the times and seasons,^[o] brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord^[p] comes like a thief in the night. ³ When they are saying, “Shalom and safety,”^[q] sudden destruction comes upon them like a woman having birth pains in the womb—there is no way they will escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, so that the Day might overtake you like a thief. ^{[r] 5} For you all are sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night or of darkness— ⁶ so then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain on the alert and sober-minded. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we are of the day, let us be sober-minded—putting on the breastplate of faithfulness and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ^{[s] 9} For God did not destine us for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we may be awake or asleep,^[t] we may live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up—just as you in fact are doing.

Instructions for Community Life

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who work hard among you and are over you in the Lord and correct^[u] you, ¹³ and to esteem them beyond all measure in love because of their work. Keep shalom among yourselves.

¹⁴ We urge you, brothers and sisters, correct the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

²³ Now may the God of shalom Himself make you completely holy; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept complete, blameless at the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ²⁴ Faithful is the One who calls you—and He will make it happen!

Closing Greetings

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you under oath, by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you.^[v]

Greetings

1 Paul, Silvanus,^[w] and Timothy,

To the community of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah:

² Grace to you and shalom from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah!

Troubles From an Eternal Perspective

³ We ought to always thank God for you, brothers and sisters, as is appropriate, because your faithfulness grows wonderfully, and the love of each one of you for one another continually increases. ⁴ Therefore, we ourselves boast of you among the communities of God—about your perseverance and faithfulness through all the persecutions and troubles that you endure. ⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.

(⁶ For after all, it is right in the sight of God to pay back trouble to those who trouble you, ⁷ and relief to you who suffer trouble along with us. At the revelation of the Lord Yeshua from heaven with His mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire,^[x] He will command judgment on those who do not know God and do not heed the Good News of our Lord Yeshua. ^{[y] 9} They will pay the price of eternal ruin, away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power^[z]— ¹⁰ on that Day when He comes to be glorified among His kedoshim and marveled at by all who have believed,^[aa] because our testimony to you was believed.)

¹¹ With this in mind, we pray for you constantly, that our God may consider you worthy of the calling and fulfill with power every good desire and work of faith, ¹² so the name of our Lord Yeshua may be glorified in you, and you in Him, in keeping with the grace of our God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, concerning the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and our gathering together to Him, ² not to get shaken out of your mind or disturbed—either by a spirit or a word or a letter as if through us—as though the Day of the Lord^[ab] has come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way, for the Day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the one destined to be destroyed. ^{[ac] 4} He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in the Temple of God, proclaiming himself that he is God.^[ad]

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I was telling you these things? ⁶ And you know what now holds back, for him to be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already operating; only there is one who holds back just now, until he is taken out of the way. ⁸ Then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Yeshua will slay him with the breath of His mouth and wipe him out with the appearance of His coming. ^{[ae] 9} The coming of the lawless one is connected to the activity of satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, ¹⁰ and with every kind of wicked deception toward those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. ¹¹ For this reason God sends them a delusional force, to lead them to believe what is false, ^{[af] 12} so that they may be judged—all those who did not believe the truth but delighted in wickedness.^[ag]

Firstfruits of Salvation

¹³ But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits for salvation^[ah] through sanctification by the Ruach and belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this salvation through our proclaiming the Good News, for you to gain the glory of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by our letter.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Yeshua the Messiah Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, ¹⁷ comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good deed and word.

3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be glorified—just as it is with you. ² Also pray that we may be rescued from perverse and evil people, for not all are trustworthy. ³ But the Lord is trustworthy—and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will keep doing what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Messiah.

No Time to Be Lazy

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to keep away from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, for we did not behave inappropriately among you. ⁸ And we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but worked night and day with labor and hardship, so as not to burden any of you. ⁹ It wasn’t that we had no right, but rather to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you are behaving irresponsibly—not busy, but busybodies. ¹² Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Messiah Yeshua to work in a quiet demeanor, so they may eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary of doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our message in this letter, take special note of him and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ Yet do not consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Words

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of shalom Himself give you shalom at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all!

¹⁷ The greeting is in my own hand—Paul’s. It is a sign in every letter—in this way I write.^[ai]

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all.^[aj]

Greeting

1 Paul, an emissary of Messiah Yeshua by the command of God our Savior and Messiah Yeshua, our hope.

² To Timothy, a true child in faith:

Grace, mercy, shalom from God the Father and Messiah Yeshua, our Lord!

Beware of False Teachers

³ As I urged you, when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay in Ephesus to direct certain people not to pass on different instruction, ⁴ or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These give rise to useless speculations rather than God’s training which is in faithfulness. ⁵ Now the goal of this command is love from of a pure heart and a clear conscience and a genuine faith. ⁶ Some, having missed the mark, have turned away to fruitless discussion— ⁷ wanting to be teachers of Torah, even though they do not understand what they keep saying or what they so dogmatically assert.

⁸ But we know that the Torah is good if one uses it legitimately, ⁹ knowing that the Torah is not given for a tzaddik but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ the sexually immoral, homosexuals, slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and for anything else that opposes sound teaching— ¹¹ in keeping with what was entrusted to me, the glorious Good News of the blessed God.

Mercy to the Worst of Sinners

¹² I thank Messiah Yeshua our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to service— ¹³ even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. Yet I was shown mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed with the faith and love that are in Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁵ Trustworthy is the saying and deserving of complete acceptance: “Messiah Yeshua came into the world to save sinners”—of whom I am foremost. ¹⁶ Yet for this reason I was shown mercy—so that in me as the foremost, Messiah Yeshua might demonstrate His complete patience, as an example for those about to put their trust in Him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,^[ak] be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Fight the Good Fight

¹⁸ This charge I entrust to you, Timothy my son, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, so that by them you fight the good fight, ¹⁹ holding onto faith and a good conscience. By rejecting these, some have suffered shipwreck regarding their faith. ²⁰ Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander—whom I have handed over to satan to be disciplined not to blaspheme.

Godliness in Prayer and Worship

2 Therefore, first of all I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people— ² for kings and all who are in authority^[al]—so we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and respectfulness. ³ This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. ⁴ He desires all men to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth. ^{[am] 5} For there is one God^[an] and there is one Mediator between God and men^[ao]—a human, Messiah Yeshua, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom for all^[ap]—the testimony at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a herald and an emissary (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faithfulness and truth.

⁸ So I desire all men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands,^[aq] without anger and argument. ⁹ Likewise, women are to adorn themselves in appropriate clothing with modesty and sound judgment—not in seductive hairstyles^[ar] and gold or pearls or costly clothing, ¹⁰ but what is suitable for women claiming godliness, through good deeds. ¹¹ Let a woman receive training in a quiet demeanor with complete respect for order. ¹² But I do not allow a woman to train or dictate to a man, but to be in a quiet demeanor. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ^{[as] 14} Also Adam was not deceived but the woman—being deceived, she fell into transgression. ^{[at] 15} Nevertheless, she will be sustained through childbearing^[au]—if they continue in faithfulness and love and holiness, with sound judgment.

Qualifications for Oversight and Service

3 Trustworthy is the saying: “If any man aspires to the office of overseer,^[av] he desires a good work.” ² An overseer, then, must be beyond criticism—the husband of one wife, clear-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not addicted to wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money, ⁴ managing his own household well, keeping his children under control with all respectfulness. ⁵ (But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s community?) ⁶ He must not be a new believer,^[aw] or he may become puffed up and fall into the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with those outside, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

⁸ Servant-leaders likewise must be dignified, not double-speaking, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ Also let them first be tested—then let those who are blameless serve as servant-leaders. ¹¹ Women likewise must be dignified, not backbiting; clear-minded, trustworthy in every respect. ¹² Let servant-leaders be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For those who have served well as servant-leaders gain for themselves a good standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Messiah Yeshua.

¹⁴ These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly. ¹⁵ But if I delay, I write so you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God—which is the community of the living God, a pillar and foundation of truth. ¹⁶ Now beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness:

Advice to a Young Leader

4 Now the Ruach clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, following deceitful spirits and teachings of demons ² through the hypocrisy of false speakers—whose own conscience has been seared. ³ They forbid people to marry; they command people to abstain from foods that God created for the faithful to share with thanksgiving, having come to know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵ for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

⁶ In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Messiah Yeshua, nourished in the words of the faith and the sound teaching that you have been following. ⁷ But avoid godless myths and old wives’ tales; instead, train yourself in godliness. ⁸ For physical exercise has some benefit; but godliness is beneficial for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the one to come. ⁹ Trustworthy is the saying and deserving of complete acceptance ¹⁰ (for to this end we work hard and strive): “We have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who trust.” ¹¹ Insist on these things and teach them.

¹² Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but become an example of the faithful—in speech, in conduct, in love, in faithfulness, and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to encouragement, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift^[ax] within you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands of the elders. ¹⁵ Practice these things—be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be clear to all. ¹⁶ Give attention to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things, for in doing so you will save yourself^[ay] and those who hear you.

Giving Honor in the Community

5 Never speak harshly to an older man^[az] but appeal to him as a father; to younger men as brothers; ² older women as mothers; and younger women as sisters—with complete purity.

³ Honor widows who are really widows— ⁴ but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show devotion to their own home and give back to their parents, for this is pleasing before God. ⁵ Now she who is really a widow and has been left alone, has put her hope in God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. ⁷ Insist on these things, so that they might be beyond criticism. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially those in his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be listed only if she is at least sixty, was the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ well known for good deeds, if she raised children, if she showed hospitality, if she washed the feet of the kedoshim, if she helped those in trouble, and if she devoted herself to every good work.

¹¹ But refuse younger widows; for when their sensual desires draw them away from the Messiah, they want to get married— ¹² facing judgment because they have set aside their previous pledge. ¹³ And at the same time, they also learn to be idle, going around from house to house—and not just idle, but also gossipers and busybodies, saying things they should not. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want the younger widows to get married, have children, manage a household, and give no opportunity to the enemy for slander. ¹⁵ For some have already gone astray after satan. ¹⁶ If any woman of faith has widows in need, let her help them and not let the community be burdened, so it may help the real widows.

¹⁷ The elders who lead well are worthy of honor and honorarium^[ba]—especially those who work hard in the word and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,”^[bb] and, “The worker is worthy of his wage.” ^{[bc] 19} Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ^{[bd] 20} Correct those who continue sinning in the presence of everyone, so that the rest also may fear.^[be]

²¹ I solemnly charge you—before God and Messiah Yeshua and the chosen angels—to observe these things without taking sides, doing nothing out of favoritism. ²² Do not lay hands on anyone hastily or take part in the sins of others—keep yourself pure. ²³ (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and for your frequent ailments.)

²⁴ The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment; but for others, their sins follow. ²⁵ Likewise, good deeds are obvious, and the others cannot stay hidden.

6 Let all who are under the yoke as slaves consider their own masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. ² And let those who have believing masters not disrespect them because they are brothers, but serve them even more, since those who share in the benefit are believers and loved. Teach and encourage these things.

Finding True Riches

³ If anyone passes on a different teaching and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, and with the instruction in keeping with godliness, ⁴ he is prideful, understanding nothing. Instead he is obsessed with arguments and disputes about words—out of which come envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between people corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

⁶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ^{[bf] 7} For we brought nothing into this world, So we cannot take anything out of it. ^{[bg] 8} But having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content. ^{[bh] 9} But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ^{[bi] 10} For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil—some, longing for it, have gone astray from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, perseverance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith! Take hold of the eternal life—you were called to it, and you made the good confession for it in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Messiah Yeshua who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. ¹⁵ This He will reveal in His own time—the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, ^{[bj] 16} who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or is able to see.^[bk] To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

¹⁷ Direct those who are rich in this present age not to be proud or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches,^[bl] but rather on God—who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ Direct them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous, sharing, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so they might take hold of the true life.

²⁰ O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from pointless chatter and the contradictions of so-called knowledge— ²¹ by professing it, some have missed the mark concerning the faith.

Grace be with you.

Greeting

1 Paul, an emissary of Messiah Yeshua through the will of God, according to the promise of life in Messiah Yeshua.

² To Timothy my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and shalom from God the Father and Messiah Yeshua our Lord!

Stir up God’s Charisma in You

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my forefathers did, when I continually remember you in my prayers night and day. ⁴ I remember your tears, and I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I recall the genuine faithfulness within you, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure it is within you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift^[bm] of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and self-discipline.

Suffer with Me—for the Good News!

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Good News according to the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling—not because of our deeds but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Messiah Yeshua before time began, ¹⁰ but now has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Messiah Yeshua. Indeed, He nullified the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

¹¹ For this Good News I was appointed a herald and an emissary and a teacher. ¹² For this reason I also am suffering these things—but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have trusted and I am convinced He is able to safeguard what I have entrusted to Him until that Day.

¹³ Keep the standard of sound words you have heard from me, in the faithfulness and love that are in Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁴ Guard the good that has been entrusted to you, through the Ruach ha-Kodesh who dwells in us.

¹⁵ You are aware that everyone in Asia has turned away from me—including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he was in Rome he zealously searched for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! You know very well how much he served in Ephesus.

Disciples from Generation to Generation

2 Therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Messiah Yeshua. ² And what you have heard from me among many witnesses, entrust to faithful people who will be capable to teach others also. ³ Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Messiah Yeshua. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the activities of everyday life, so that he might please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned victorious unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hard-working farmer ought to receive the first share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Yeshua the Messiah, raised from the dead, from the seed of David—according to my Good News. ⁹ For this I suffer hardship as a criminal, even to the point of chains—though the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the chosen, so they might obtain the salvation that is in Messiah Yeshua with eternal glory.

¹¹ Trustworthy is the saying:

A Workman with the Word

¹⁴ Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which is useless—to the ruin of those who are listening. ¹⁵ Make every effort to present yourself before God as tried and true, as an unashamed worker cutting a straight path with the word of truth. ^{[bn] 16} But avoid godless chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness ¹⁷ and their words will spread like cancer. Among them are Hymeneaus and Philetus— ¹⁸ men who have missed the mark concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place. They are overturning the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,”^[bo] and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord keep away from unrighteousness.” ^{[bp] 20} Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay—some for honor and some for common use. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor—sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

²² Now flee from youthful desires; instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and shalom, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s slave must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, tolerant. ²⁵ Let him give guidance with humility to those who are in opposition—perhaps God may grant them a change of mind, leading to the knowledge of truth. ²⁶ Then they may regain their senses and escape the devil’s snare, in which they had been held captive by him to do his will.

Opposition in the Last Days

3 But understand this, that in the last days^[bq] hard times will come— ² for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ hardhearted, unforgiving, backbiting, without self-control, brutal, hating what is good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! ⁶ For among these are those who slip into households and deceive weak women weighed down with sins, led away by various desires, ⁷ always learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,^[br] so do these people oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and worthless concerning the faith. ⁹ But these people will not make any more progress—for their folly, like that of Jannes and Jambres, will be obvious to everyone.

¹⁰ You, however, closely followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, perseverance— ¹¹ as well as persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And the Lord rescued me from them all! ¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

All Scripture Equips God’s People

¹⁴ You, however, continue in what you have learned and what you have become convinced of. For you know from whom you have learned, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise, leading to salvation through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God^[bs] and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.

4 I solemnly charge you—in the presence of God and Messiah Yeshua, who is about to judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom— ² proclaim the Word! Be ready when it is convenient or inconvenient.^[bt] Confront, rebuke, encourage—with complete patience and instruction. ³ For the time will come when they will not put up with sound instruction, but they will pile up for themselves teachers in keeping with their own desires, to have their ears tickled. ⁴ And they will turn away from hearing the truth and wander off to myths. ⁵ You, however, keep a clear mind in all things, withstand hardship, do the work of proclaiming the Good News, and fulfill your service.

Finishing the Fight, Receiving the Crown

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. ⁸ In the future there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to everyone who has longed for His appearing.

⁹ Do all you can to come to me quickly— ¹⁰ for Demas, having loved this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessolonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. ¹² I have sent Tychius to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak which I left with Carpus in Troas, along with the scrolls, and especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm—the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him too, for he vehemently opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me; instead, they all deserted me—may it not be counted against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be proclaimed in full measure, and all the nations might hear—and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth! ^{[bu] 18} The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will deliver me safely into His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹ Do all you can to come before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. ²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Greetings

1 Paul, a slave of God and an emissary of Messiah Yeshua, for the faith of God’s chosen and the knowledge of truth that is in keeping with godliness, ² based on the hope of eternal life. God—who cannot lie^[bv]—promised this before the beginning of time. ³ But in His own time He made His message known, through a proclamation with which I was entrusted, by the command of God our Savior.

⁴ To Titus, a true child of our common faith:

Grace and shalom from God the Father and Messiah Yeshua, our Savior!

Setting the Community in Order

⁵ The reason I left you in Crete was so that you would set in order the things that remain and appoint elders in every city as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children of faith with no charge of wild living or rebellion. ⁷ For the overseer must be blameless as God’s administrator—not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather he must be hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, devout, disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message in keeping with the teaching, so he can both encourage by instruction that is sound and convict those who speak against it.

¹⁰ For there are many who are rebellious, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those from the circumcision. ¹¹ They must be silenced—those who upset entire households by teaching what they should not, for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² One of them, one of their own prophets, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so they might be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not paying attention to Judaic myths and commands of men who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Both their mind and conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They claim to know God but their deeds deny Him. They are despicable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Advice for Behavior in Community

2 But as for you, speak things that are fitting for sound instruction. ² Older men are to be clear-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in patience. ³ Likewise, older women are to be sanctified in demeanor—not backbiting or enslaved to much wine. Let them be teachers of what is good, ⁴ so that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, managing their household, kind, submitted to their own husbands, so that God’s word may not be dishonored.

⁶ Likewise urge the younger men to be self-controlled, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be an example of good deeds—integrity in instruction, dignity, ⁸ sound speech beyond criticism—so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Urge slaves to submit themselves to their own masters in all things, well-pleasing and not back-talking, ¹⁰ not stealing but showing all good faithfulness, so that they may do credit to the teaching about God our Savior in everything.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age. ¹³ We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁴ He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds. ^{[bw] 15} So communicate these things, and encourage and correct with complete authority. Let no one look down on you.

Be Ready for Good Deeds

3 Remind the people to be submitted to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, ² to slander no one, without fighting, gentle, showing every courtesy to all people. ³ For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deluded, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

⁸ Trustworthy is the saying, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have put their trust in God may be careful to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about Torah, for they are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Dismiss a quarrelsome person after a first and second warning, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is twisted and is sinning—he is self-condemned.

Final Words

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to winter there. ¹³ Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with great care, so that nothing is lacking for them. ¹⁴ And let our people learn to devote themselves to doing mitzvot to meet urgent needs, so they will not be unfruitful.

¹⁵ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Greetings to a House Group

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Messiah Yeshua, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker.

² To Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the community that meets in your house:

³ Grace to you and shalom from God our Father and the Lord Messiah Yeshua!

Thanks for Love and Comfort

⁴ I thank my God always when mentioning you in my prayers, ⁵ hearing of your love and the trust you have toward the Lord Yeshua and all the kedoshim. ⁶ May the fellowship of your faith become effective, with the recognition of all the good that is ours in Messiah. ⁷ For I’ve received much joy and comfort in your love, brother, because the hearts of the kedoshim have been refreshed through you.

Request for Philemon’s Runaway

⁸ Therefore, though I have plenty of boldness in Messiah to order you to do what’s right, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I appeal to you instead. I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner belonging to Messiah Yeshua. ¹⁰ I beg you for my child Onesimus—for whom I became a spiritual father while in chains. ¹¹ He once was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and me. ¹² I sent him back to you—he is my very heart. ¹³ I really wanted to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he might serve me while I am in chains for the Good News. ¹⁴ But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness wouldn’t be by force but by free will.

¹⁵ For perhaps he was separated from you for a while in order that you might have him back forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—as a beloved brother, especially to me but even more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ But if he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge that to my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay. (Not to mention that you owe me your very self.) ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Messiah.

Added Request and Farewell

²¹ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than what I say. ²² At the same time also, prepare a guest room for me—for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you. ²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Messiah Yeshua, greets you. ²⁴ So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. ²⁵ May the grace of our Lord Messiah Yeshua be with your spirit. Amen.