Bible in 90 Days

1 From Paul, Silas [Acts 15:22, 40], and Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24; 1 and 2 Timothy].

To the church in Thessalonica [^Lof the Thessalonians; ^Ca city in Macedonia, present-day northern Greece], the church in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

The Faith of the Thessalonians

² We always thank God for all of you and mention you when we pray. ³ We continually recall before God our Father ·the things you have done because of your faith [^Lyour work of/from faith], ·the work you have done because of your love [^Lyour labor of/from love] and your ·continuing strength because of your hope [^Lendurance of/from hope] in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ Brothers and sisters, God loves you, and we know he has chosen you, ⁵ because the ·Good News [Gospel] we brought to you came not only with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with ·sure knowledge that it is true [great conviction]. You know how we lived when we were with you ·in order to help you [for your sake]. ⁶ And you became ·like us and like [imitators of us and of] the Lord. You ·suffered much [experienced many trials/much persecution], but still you accepted the teaching with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. ⁷ So you became an ·example to [model for] all the believers in Macedonia [^Cthe Roman province in which Thessalonica was located, present-day northern Greece] and Achaia [^Cpresent-day southern Greece]. ⁸ And the Lord’s ·teaching [message; word] ·spread [rang out; sounded forth] from you not only into Macedonia and Achaia, but now your faith in God has ·become known [gone forth] everywhere. So we do not need to say anything about it. ⁹ ·People everywhere [^LFor they themselves] are ·telling [reporting; announcing] about the way you ·accepted [welcomed] us when we were there with you. They tell how you ·stopped worshiping idols [^Lturned to God from idols] to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom God raised from the dead. He is Jesus, who ·saves [rescues; delivers] us from ·God’s angry judgment that is sure to come [^Lthe coming wrath].

Paul’s Work in Thessalonica

2 Brothers and sisters, you ·know [yourselves know; are well aware that] our ·visit [coming] to you was not ·a failure [without results; in vain; Acts 17:1–9]. ² Before we came to you, we suffered and were ·insulted [mistreated] in Philippi [^Ca city in Macedonia (1:7); Acts 16:6–40], as you know. But ·our God helped us to be brave and [^Lwe were emboldened in our God] to tell you ·his Good News [the Gospel of God] in spite of great opposition. ³ [^LFor] Our ·appeal [encouragement; exhortation] does not come from ·lies [error] or ·wrong reasons [false motives; ^Limpurity], nor ·were we trying to trick you [with guile/deceit]. ⁴ But we speak the ·Good News [Gospel] because God ·tested [approved] us and ·trusted us to do [or entrusted us with] it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who ·tests [examines; approves] our hearts. ⁵ You know that we never ·tried to influence you by saying nice things about you [^Lcame with words of flattery]. ·We were not trying to get your money; we had no selfishness to hide from you [^L…nor with hidden motives of greed]. God ·knows that this is true [^Lis (our) witness]. ⁶ We were not looking for human ·praise [glory], from you or anyone else, ⁷ even though as apostles of Christ we could have ·used our authority over you [thrown our weight around; exercised our prerogatives].

But we were very gentle with you,^[a] like a ·mother [nurse; nursing mother] caring for her [^Lown] little children. ⁸ Because we ·loved [had such affection for/devotion to] you, we were ·happy [pleased; delighted] to share not only God’s ·Good News [Gospel] with you, but ·even [also] our own lives. You had become so ·dear [beloved] to us! ⁹ Brothers and sisters, ·I know [surely] you remember our hard work and ·difficulties [hardship; labor]. We worked night and day so we would not burden any of you while we preached God’s ·Good News [Gospel] to you.

¹⁰ When we were with you, we lived in a holy and ·honest [righteous; just] way, ·without fault [blameless; innocent]. You ·know this is true, and so does [^Lare witnesses, and so is] God. ¹¹ You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. ¹² We ·encouraged [exhorted; urged] you, we ·urged [encouraged; comforted] you, and we ·insisted [appealed/bore witness to you] that you ·live good lives for [^Lwalk worthy of] God, who calls you to his ·glorious kingdom [^Lkingdom and glory].

¹³ ·Also [^LFor this reason], we always thank God because when you ·heard his message [received the message you heard] from us, you accepted it not as ·merely human words [a human message], but for what it truly is—·the word of [a message from] God, which ·works in [transforms] you who believe. ¹⁴ [^LFor] Brothers and sisters, ·your experiences have been like those [or you became imitators] of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea [^Cthe original church in Jerusalem and others nearby]. You suffered the same things from the people of your own country, as they suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and ·forced us to leave that country [drove us out; or persecuted us]. They do not please God and are ·against [hostile/opposed to] all people. ¹⁶ ·They try [or …because they try; or …by trying] to stop us from ·teaching [speaking/preaching to] the Gentiles so they may be saved. By doing this, they are ·increasing [filling/heaping up] their sins to the limit. The ·anger [wrath] of God ·has come to [or has drawn near to; or will overtake] them ·at last [or completely; or until the end (of the age)].

Paul Wants to Visit Them Again

¹⁷ Brothers and sisters, though we were ·separated [torn away; orphaned] from you for a short time, ·our thoughts were still with you [physically, not spiritually…; ^Lin face, not in heart…]. We wanted very much to see you and tried hard to do so. ¹⁸ We wanted to come to you. I, Paul, tried to come ·more than once [again and again; ^Lboth once and twice], but Satan ·stopped [hindered; prevented] us. ¹⁹ ·You are [^LFor who is…?] our hope, our joy, and the crown we will ·take pride in [boast about] when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁰ Truly you are our glory and our joy.

3 When we could ·not wait any [endure it no] longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone ² and send Timothy to you. Timothy, our brother, ·works with us [is our coworker] for God ·and helps us tell people the Good News about [^Lin the Gospel of] Christ. We sent him to strengthen and ·encourage [comfort; or exhort] you in your faith ³ so none of you would be ·upset [disturbed; shaken] by these ·troubles [trials]. [^LFor] You yourselves know that we ·must face these troubles [^Lare destined/appointed for this]. ⁴ [^LFor] Even when we were with you, we told you [^Lin advance] we all would have to ·suffer [be persecuted; suffer hardship/affliction], and you know it has happened. ⁵ Because of this, when I could ·wait [endure it] no longer, I sent Timothy to you so I could learn about your faith. I was afraid ·the devil [^Lthe tempter] had tempted you, and perhaps our hard work would have been ·wasted [in vain; for nothing].

⁶ But Timothy now has come back to us from you and has brought us good news about your faith and love. He told us that you always remember us in a good way and that you ·want [long] to see us just as much as we ·want [long] to see you. ⁷ So, brothers and sisters, ·while we have much [^Lin all of our] ·trouble [distress] and ·suffering [trials; persecution], we are ·encouraged [comforted; reassured] about you because of your faith. ⁸ ·Our life is really full [^LFor now we live/are alive (again)] ·if you stand [since you are standing] ·strong [firm; fast] in the Lord. ⁹ ·We cannot thank God enough [^LFor what thanks can we give to God…?] for all the joy we feel ·in God’s presence [before our God] because of you. ¹⁰ Night and day we continue praying ·with all our heart [most earnestly] that we can see you again and ·give you all the things you need [^Lstrengthen/supply what is lacking] to make your faith strong.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus ·prepare [clear; direct] the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love grow more and ·multiply [abound; overflow] for each other and for all people ·so that you will love others as we love you [or just as our love abounds for you]. ¹³ ·May your hearts [^L…so that your hearts may] be made strong so that you will be holy and ·without fault [blameless] before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his ·holy ones [^Tsaints; or holy angels].

A Life that Pleases God

4 [^LFinally; or Now then; Furthermore] Brothers and sisters, we taught you how to ·live [walk] in a way that will please God, and you are living that way. Now we ask and ·encourage [urge; appeal to] you in the Lord Jesus to ·live that way [excel; abound] even more. ² [^LFor] You know what ·we told [instructions/commands we gave] you to do ·by the authority of [^Lthrough] the Lord Jesus. ³ ·God wants you to be holy and [or For this is God’s will, your sanctification:] to stay away from sexual sins. ⁴ He wants each of you to ·learn to control your own body [or take a wife for yourself; or live with your own wife; ^Lgain/possess his own vessel] in a way that is holy and honorable. ⁵ ·Don’t use your body for sexual sin [^L…not in lustful passion] like the ·people [^LGentiles] who do not know God. ⁶ Also, do not ·wrong [exploit; transgress] or ·cheat [take advantage of] another ·Christian [^Lbrother (or sister)] in this way. The Lord ·will punish people who do those [^Lis the avenger concerning these] things as we have already told you and ·warned [solemnly testified to] you. ⁷ [^LFor] God did not call us to ·a life of sin [^Limpurity], but to holiness. ⁸ ·So [Therefore] the person who ·refuses to obey [disregards; rejects; despises] this teaching is not simply ·disobeying [disregarding; rejecting; despising] ·a human being [human authority], but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

⁹ We do not need to write you about ·having love for your Christian family [^Lbrotherly love], because God has already taught you to love each other. ¹⁰ And truly you do love the ·Christians [^Lbrothers (and sisters)] in all of Macedonia [1:7]. Now we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to ·love them [excel; abound; v. 1] even more. ¹¹ ·Do all you can […and to aspire] to live a peaceful life. ·Take care of [Attend to; Mind] your own business, and ·do your own work [^Lwork with your hands] as we have already ·told [instructed; commanded] you. ¹² If you do, then you will ·win the respect of [or live a respectable/proper life before] ·unbelievers [^Loutsiders], and you will not have to depend on others for what you need.

The Lord’s Coming

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we ·want you to know [do not want you to be uninformed] about those ·Christians who have died [^Lwho sleep; ^Ca euphemism for death] so you will not ·be sad [grieve], as ·others [^Lthe rest] who have no hope. ¹⁴ [^LFor] We believe that Jesus died and that he rose again. ·So, through him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died [or So God will bring with Jesus those who have died/^Lfallen asleep in him]. ¹⁵ What we tell you now is ·the Lord’s own message [^Lby the word of the Lord]. We who are ·living [still alive] when the Lord comes again will [^Lcertainly; surely] not go before those who have ·already died [^Lfallen asleep]. ¹⁶ The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud ·command [or shout], ·with [or accompanied by; or preceded by] the voice of the archangel [^Ca leading or ruling angel; Dan. 10:13; Jude 9], and with the trumpet call of God. And ·those who have died believing [^Lthe dead] in Christ will rise first [1 Cor. 15:51–57]. ¹⁷ After that, we who are ·still alive [or alive and are left] will be ·gathered [caught; taken] up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And [^Lso; in this way] we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ So ·encourage [comfort] each other with these words.

Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

5 Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and ·dates [seasons; ^Crelated to end-time events]. ² You know ·very well [accurately] that the ·day the Lord comes again [^Lday of the Lord; ^Cthe time of Christ’s return and the judgments associated with it] will ·be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night [^Lcome like a thief in the night]. ³ While people are saying, “·We have peace and we are safe [^LPeace and safety/security],” they will be destroyed ·quickly [suddenly]. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not ·living in darkness [^Lin darkness], and so that day will not ·surprise you [or overtake you] like a thief. ⁵ [^LFor] You are all ·people who belong to the light [^Lchildren/sons of the light] and ·who belong to [^Lchildren/sons of] the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. ⁶ So we should not be like other people who are sleeping [^Cspiritually], but we should be ·alert [awake] and ·have self-control [sober]. ⁷ [^LFor] Those who sleep sleep at night. Those who get drunk get drunk at night. ⁸ But we belong to the day, so we should ·control ourselves [be sober]. We should ·wear faith and love to protect us [^Lput on the breastplate/body armor of faith and love], and the hope of salvation should be our helmet [Is. 59:17]. ⁹ God did not ·choose [appoint; destine] us ·to suffer his anger [^Lfor wrath] but to ·have [receive; gain; possess] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ ·Jesus [^L…who] died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are ·alive [^Lawake] or ·dead [^Lasleep] when he comes. ¹¹ So encourage each other and ·give each other strength [build each other up], just as you are doing now.

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to ·appreciate [acknowledge; respect] those who work hard among you, who ·lead [or care for] you in the Lord and ·teach [instruct; admonish] you. ¹³ ·Respect [Regard; Esteem] them ·with a very special [or very highly with your] love because of the work they do.

Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ We ·ask [urge; exhort; encourage] you, brothers and sisters, to ·warn [admonish; rebuke] those who ·do not work [are idle; or are undisciplined]. ·Encourage [Comfort] the people who are ·afraid [apprehensive; fainthearted; discouraged]. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ ·Be sure [See to it] that no one pays back ·wrong [evil] for ·wrong [evil], but always ·try to do [strive for; ^Lpursue] what is good for each other and for all people.

¹⁶ Always ·be joyful [rejoice]. ¹⁷ Pray ·continually [without ceasing], ¹⁸ and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not ·hold back the work of [stifle; quench; extinguish] the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat ·prophecy [^Lprophecies; ^Coccurring in the church] ·as if it were unimportant [with contempt]. ²¹ But test everything. ·Keep [Hold on to] what is good, ²² and stay away from ·everything that is [every form/kind of] evil.

²³ Now may God himself, the God of peace, ·make you holy in every way [sanctify you completely/through and through]. May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept ·faultless [blameless] when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴ The One who calls you is ·trustworthy [faithful], and he will ·do this [make this happen].

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all ·believers [^Lthe brothers (and sisters)] with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I ·tell [solemnly charge; adjure] you ·by the authority of [or before; or in] the Lord to read this letter to all the believers.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 From Paul [Acts 15:22, 40], Silas, and Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24; 1 and 2 Timothy].

To the church ·in Thessalonica [^Lof the Thessalonians; ^Ca city in Macedonia, present-day northern Greece] in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul Talks About God’s Judgment

³ We ·must [ought to] always thank God for you, brothers and sisters. This is only right, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing. ⁴ So we ·brag [boast] about you to the other churches of God. We tell them about the way you ·continue to be strong [persevere; endure] and have faith even though you are being ·treated badly [persecuted] and are suffering many ·troubles [trials; hardships].

⁵ This is ·proof [evidence] that God is ·right [just; righteous] in his judgment. ·He wants you to be counted […so that you will be considered; or …to make you] worthy of his kingdom for which you are suffering. ⁶ [^LFor] God ·will do what is right [is just/righteous]. He will ·give trouble to [pay back with trials/hardship] those who ·trouble [inflict trials/hardships on] you. ⁷ And he will give rest to you who are ·troubled [suffering trials/hardships] and to us also when the Lord Jesus ·appears [is revealed] ·with blazing fire from heaven [or from heaven; ^C“with blazing fire” may go with the next sentence] with his powerful angels. ⁸ Then he will ·punish [or punish with blazing fire] those who do not know God [Jer. 10:25] and who do not obey the ·Good News about [Gospel of] our Lord Jesus. ⁹ Those people will be punished with a ·destruction that continues forever [eternal destruction], ·separated from [^L…from] the presence of the Lord and from ·his great power [or the glory of his strength; or his glorious strength]. ¹⁰ This will happen on the day when ·the Lord Jesus [^Lhe] comes to ·receive glory [be glorified] ·because of [or among; or in; or from] his holy people. And all the people who have believed will ·be amazed at [marvel at] Jesus. You will be in that group, because you believed ·what we told [our testimony to] you.

¹¹ ·That is why [To that end; In this regard] we always pray for you, asking our God to ·help you live the kind of life he called you to live [make/consider you worthy of his calling]. We pray that with his power God will ·help you do the good things you want [^Lfulfill every desire for goodness] and ·perform the works that come from your [^Levery work of] faith. ¹² We pray all this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will ·have glory [be glorified] in you, and you ·will have glory in him [^Lin him]. That glory comes from the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Evil Things Will Happen

2 Brothers and sisters, ·we have something to say about [^Lconcerning] the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and ·the time when we will meet [our assembly/being gathered] together with him. ² ·Do not [We ask/request that you don’t] become ·easily [quickly] ·upset [unsettled; shaken] in your thinking or ·afraid [disturbed; alarmed] if you hear that the day of the Lord has already come [^Cthe time of Christ’s return and the judgments associated with it]. Someone may have said this ·in a prophecy [^Lby a spirit; or by the Spirit] or ·in a message [or by word of mouth] or in a letter as if it came from us [^Ca forged letter]. ³ Do not let anyone ·fool [deceive] you in any way. That day of the Lord [v. 2] will not come until the ·turning away from God [great rebellion; apostasy; Matt. 24:11–12; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1–5; 2 Pet. 2:3; Jude 18] happens and the Man of ·Evil^[b] [Wickedness; ^LLawlessness; ^Cprobably the Antichrist; 1 John 2:18; Rev. 13], ·who is on his way to hell [^Lthe son of destruction; John 17:12], appears. ⁴ He will ·be against [defy; oppose] and ·put himself above [exalt himself against] any so-called god or ·anything that [any object that; or any place where] people worship [Is. 14:13–14; Ezek. 28:2–9; Dan. 11:36] ·and [or so that] he will even go into the Temple of God and sit there and ·say that he is [present himself as] God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was with you I told you that all this would happen? ⁶ And ·now [so] you know what is ·stopping that Man of Evil [^Lrestraining him; holding him back; 2:3] so he will ·appear [be revealed] at ·the right [the proper; ^Lhis own] time. ⁷ The ·secret power [or mystery] of ·evil [lawlessness; wickedness] is already ·working in the world [or at work], but there is one who is ·stopping that power [restraining it]. And ·he [or it] will continue to ·stop [restrain] it until ·he [or it] is taken out of the way [^Cthis restrainer may be the Holy Spirit or human government, among other possibilities]. ⁸ Then that ·Man of Evil [^Levil/lawless one; 2:3] will ·appear [be revealed], and the Lord Jesus^[c] will ·kill [destroy] him with the breath that comes from his mouth [Is. 11:4] and will ·destroy [annihilate; put an end to] him with the ·glory [brightness; splendor; or appearance; manifestation] of his ·coming [arrival; presence]. ⁹ ·The Man of Evil [^L…who; 2:3] will ·come [arrive] ·by the power [or at the instigation; ^Lin accordance with the work/activity] of Satan ·and will have [or with; accompanied by] ·all kinds [or every kind] of ·false [counterfeit] ·miracles [powers], signs, and wonders. ¹⁰ He will use every ·kind of evil to trick [or wicked deception against/toward] those who are ·lost [perishing; heading toward destruction], because they refused to love the truth that would save them. ¹¹ For this reason God sends them ·something powerful that leads them away from the truth [^La powerful/compelling/effective deception/error] so they will believe ·a lie [what is false]. ¹² So all those will be ·judged guilty [condemned] who did not believe the truth, but ·enjoyed doing [delighted in; approved of] ·evil [wickedness; unrighteousness; injustice].

You Are Chosen for Salvation

¹³ Brothers and sisters, whom the Lord loves, God chose you from the beginning^[d] to be saved. So we ·must [ought to] always thank God for you. You are saved by the ·Spirit that makes you holy [sanctifying work of the Spirit] and by your faith in the truth. ¹⁴ God used the ·Good News [Gospel] that we preached to call you to be saved so you can ·share in [obtain; possess] the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So, brothers and sisters, stand ·strong [firm] and ·continue to believe [hold fast to; grasp firmly] the ·teachings we gave you [^Ltraditions you were taught] ·in our speaking and in our [^Lwhether through our word or our] letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through his grace gave us eternal ·comfort [encouragement] and a good hope, ¹⁷ ·encourage [comfort] you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Pray for Us

3 ·And now [or Finally], brothers and sisters, pray for us that the Lord’s ·teaching [message; word] ·will continue to spread quickly [^Lmight run (forward)] and ·that people will give honor to that teaching [^Lbe honored/glorified], just as happened with you. ² And pray that we will be ·protected [or rescued; delivered] from ·stubborn [or perverse; worthless; wicked] and evil people, because not all people ·believe [have faith].

³ But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the Evil One [^CSatan]. ⁴ ·The Lord makes us feel sure [^LWe have confidence about you in the Lord] that you are doing and will continue to do the things we ·told [instructed; commanded] you. ⁵ May the Lord ·lead [guide; direct] your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s ·patience [endurance; perseverance].

The Duty to Work

⁶ Brothers and sisters, ·by the authority [^Lin the name] of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you to stay away from any ·believer [^Lbrother (or sister)] who ·refuses to work [or behaves irresponsibly; ^Llives/walks in idleness/disorder] and does not follow the ·teaching we gave you [^Ltradition you received from us]. ⁷ [^LFor] You yourselves know that you should ·live as we live [follow our example; imitate us]. [^LBecause] We were not ·lazy [idle; undisciplined] when we were with you. ⁸ And when we ate another person’s ·food [bread], we always paid for it. We worked ·very hard [^Lwith labor and toil] night and day so we would not be an ·expense [financial burden] to any of you. ⁹ ·We had [^LIt was not because we do not have] the right to ask you to help us, but we worked ·to take care of ourselves so we would [^Lin order to] be an example for you to ·follow [imitate]. ¹⁰ [^LFor even] When we were with you, we gave you this ·rule [instruction; command]: “Anyone who ·refuses [is not willing] to work should not eat.”

¹¹ [^LFor; or Yet] We hear that some people in your group ·refuse to work [or are behaving irresponsibly; ^Lare living/walking in idleness/disorder]. They do nothing but ·busy themselves [meddle; interfere] in other people’s lives. ¹² We command ·those [such] people and ·beg [urge; encourage; exhort] them in the Lord Jesus Christ to ·work quietly [or settle down] and ·earn [^Leat] their own ·food [bread]. ¹³ But you, brothers and sisters, never become tired of doing good.

¹⁴ If some people do not obey what we tell you in this letter, then take note of them. ·Have nothing to do [Do not associate] with them so they will ·feel ashamed [or be shamed]. ¹⁵ But do not ·treat [regard] them as enemies. ·Warn [Admonish] them as ·fellow believers [^La brother (or sister)].

Final Words

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace [^Lhimself] give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

¹⁷ I, Paul, ·end this letter now [write this greeting] in my own ·handwriting [^Lhand]. All my letters have this ·to show they are from me [sign]. This is the way I write.

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

1 From Paul, an ·apostle [messenger] of Christ Jesus, by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope.

² To Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24], a ·true [genuine] child to me ·because you believe [or in the faith]:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning Against False Teaching

³ I ·asked [urged; encouraged] you to stay longer in Ephesus [^Ca major port city in the Roman province of Asia, present-day western Turkey; Acts 19] when I went into Macedonia [^Ca Roman province in present-day northern Greece] so you could ·command [charge; instruct] some people there ·to stop teaching [or not to teach] ·false things [^Ldifferent doctrine/teachings; ^Cdifferent from Paul’s Gospel, and so false]. ⁴ Tell them not to ·spend their time on [occupy themselves with; devote themselves to] ·stories that are not true [myths] and ·on long lists of names in family histories [endless/useless genealogies; Titus 3:9]. These things only bring ·arguments [controversy; or useless speculation]; they do not help God’s ·work [plan; redemptive purpose], which ·is done in [or operates by; or is received by; or is known by] faith. ⁵ The ·purpose [goal; aim] of this ·command [charge; instruction] is for people to have love, a love that comes from a pure heart and a ·good [clear] conscience and a ·true [genuine; sincere] faith. ⁶ Some people have ·missed [departed/deviated from] these things and turned to ·useless talk [empty/meaningless/foolish discussion]. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand either what they are talking about or what they ·are sure about [so confidently assert].

⁸ But we know that the law [^Cthe OT law of Moses] is good if someone uses it ·lawfully [legitimately; as God intended]. ⁹ ·We also know [or …recognizing this:] that the law is not ·made [intended; laid down] for ·good people [^Lthe just/righteous person] but for those who are ·against the law [lawbreakers; lawless] and for ·those who refuse to follow it [rebels; criminals]. It is for people who are ·against God [godless; ungodly] and are sinful, who are unholy and ·ungodly [irreverent; profane], who ·kill [or strike] their fathers and mothers, who murder, ¹⁰ who take part in sexual sins, who ·have sexual relations with people of the same sex [are practicing homosexuals], who ·sell slaves [are kidnappers/slave traders], who tell lies, who speak falsely, and ·who do anything against [or all who live contrary to] the true teaching of God. ¹¹ That teaching ·is part of [accords with; conforms to] the ·Good News [Gospel] of the blessed God that he ·gave me to tell [entrusted to me].

Thanks for God’s Mercy

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he ·trusted me [considered me trustworthy/faithful] and ·gave me this work of serving him [placed me in his service; appointed me to ministry]. ¹³ [Even though] In the past I ·spoke against Christ [^Lwas a blasphemer] and persecuted him and ·did all kinds of things to hurt him [was an arrogant/insolent/violent man; Acts 8:3]. But God showed me mercy, because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ But the grace of our Lord ·was fully given [overflowed; abounded] to me, and with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ ·What I say is true [or This saying/word is trustworthy; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8], and ·you should fully accept it [^Lworthy of full acceptance; ^Cwhat follows may be an early Christian hymn]: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the ·worst [^Lfirst; foremost]. ¹⁶ But [^Lfor that reason] I was given mercy so that in me, the worst of all sinners, Christ Jesus could show that he has ·unlimited [immense; perfect; ^Lall] patience. His patience with me made me an example for those who would believe in him and have ·life forever [eternal life]. ¹⁷ To the ·King who rules forever [eternal King; ^LKing of the ages], ·who will never die [immortal; incorruptible], ·who cannot be seen [invisible], the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ Timothy, my child, I am giving you ·a command [this charge/instruction] that agrees with the prophecies that were given about you in the past [4:14; 6:12]. I tell you this so that ·by following [or by recalling; ^Lby] them you can fight the good fight. ¹⁹ Continue to have faith and ·do what you know is right [^La good conscience]. Some people have rejected this, and their faith has been shipwrecked. ²⁰ Hymenaeus [2 Tim. 2:17] and Alexander [2 Tim. 4:14] have done that, and I have ·given them [handed them over] to Satan so they will learn not to ·speak against God [^Lblaspheme].

Some Rules for Men and Women

2 First of all, then, I ·tell [urge; exhort] you to ·pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him [^Lmake petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people]. ² Pray for ·rulers [kings] and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives ·full of worship and respect for God [^Lin all godliness and dignity/reverence]. ³ This is good, and it ·pleases [is acceptable to] God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth. ⁵ [^LFor] There is one God and one ·mediator [intermediary] ·so that human beings can reach God [^Lbetween God and human beings], Christ Jesus, who is himself human. ⁶ He gave himself as a ·payment to free [ransom for] all people, ·proof that came [or revealing God’s purpose; ^Lthe testimony/witness] at ·the right [the appointed; God’s own] time. ⁷ That is why I was ·chosen [appointed] to ·tell the Good News [be a herald/preacher] and to be an apostle. (I am telling the truth; I am not lying.) I was ·chosen [appointed] ·to teach the Gentiles to believe and to know the truth [or as a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles].

⁸ So, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up ·their hands in a holy manner [their hands in reverence; ^Lholy hands], without anger and ·arguments [quarreling; disputing].

⁹ ·Also [Similarly; Likewise], women should wear ·proper [modest; respectable] clothes that show ·respect [modesty] and ·self-control [good sense], not using ·braided hair [elaborate hairstyles] or gold or pearls or expensive clothes. ¹⁰ Instead, they should do good deeds, which is ·right [proper] for women who ·say they worship God [profess reverence for God].

¹¹ Let a woman learn ·by listening quietly [in silence] and ·being ready to cooperate in everything [^Lin full/all submission]. ¹² But I do not allow a woman to teach or to ·have [assume; exercise] authority over ·a man [or her husband], but to ·listen quietly [be quiet], ¹³ because Adam was formed first and then Eve [Gen. 2:8, 18, 22]. ¹⁴ And Adam was not ·tricked [deceived; led astray], but the woman was ·tricked [deceived; led astray] and became a ·sinner [transgressor; Gen. 3:1–6]. ¹⁵ But she will be saved through ·having children [or motherhood; ^Cless likely, a reference to the birth of Christ] if she continues in faith, love, and holiness, with ·self-control [propriety; good sense].

Elders in the Church

3 ·What I say is true [or This saying/word is trustworthy; 1:15; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8]: Anyone ·wanting [aspiring] to become an ·overseer [^Tbishop; ^Cperhaps the same as elder; 3:6, 7; 5:17; Titus 1:5–6] desires a ·good [honorable; noble] ·work [role; position]. ² An overseer must ·not give people a reason to criticize him [have a good reputation; be above reproach], and he must ·have only one wife [or be faithful to his wife]. He must be ·self-controlled [sober], ·wise [have good judgment], respected by others, ·ready to welcome guests [hospitable], and able to teach. ³ He must not drink too much wine or ·like to fight [be violent/a troublemaker], but rather be gentle and ·peaceable [not quarrelsome/contentious], not ·loving money [avaricious; greedy]. ⁴ He must ·be a good family leader [^Lmanage/lead his own household well], having children ·who cooperate with full respect [who obey and respect him; or whom he controls with dignity]. ⁵ (If someone does not know how to ·lead [manage] his own ·family [household], how can that person take care of God’s church?) ⁶ But an elder must not be a ·new believer [recent convert], or he might ·be too proud of himself [become arrogant] and ·be judged guilty just as the devil was [or incur the same punishment as the devil; 1:20]. ⁷ An elder must also have ·the respect of [a good reputation among] ·people who are not in the church [^Loutsiders] so he will not ·be criticized by others [fall into disgrace; be caught in a scandal] ·and [or and in this way] ·caught [ensnared] in the devil’s trap.

Deacons in the Church

⁸ In the same way, deacons must be ·respected by others [dignified], not ·saying things they do not mean [insincere; two-faced; deceitful]. They must not drink too much wine or ·try to get rich by cheating others [be greedy for money/profit]. ⁹ With a clear conscience they must ·follow [hold on to] ·the secret of the faith that God made known to us [or God’s revealed truths; ^Lthe mystery of the faith; ^Ca mystery being something previously unknown but now revealed by God; Eph. 1:9]. ¹⁰ Test them first. Then let them serve as deacons if you find ·nothing wrong in them [them blameless]. ¹¹ In the same way, ·women [or women who are deacons; or deacon’s wives] must be ·respected by others [dignified]. They must not ·speak evil of others [be slanderers/gossips]. They must be ·self-controlled [sober] and ·trustworthy [honest; faithful] in everything. ¹² Deacons must ·have only one wife [or be faithful to their wife] and be good ·leaders [managers] of their children and their own ·families [households]. ¹³ Those who serve well as deacons ·are making an honorable place [gain good standing] for themselves, and they will ·be very bold [or have greater confidence/assurance] in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Secret of Our Life

¹⁴ Although I hope I can come to you ·soon [quickly], I am writing these things to you now. ¹⁵ Then, even if I am delayed, you will know ·how [^Lhow it is necessary] to live in the ·family [household] of God, which is the ·church [assembly] of the living God, the ·support [pillar] and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ ·Without doubt [or And we all agree], ·the secret of our life of worship [or the truth revealed in our faith/worship; ^Lthe mystery of godliness; v. 9] is great [^Cwhat follows may be from an early Christian hymn]:

A Warning About False Teachers

4 Now the ·Holy Spirit [^LSpirit] clearly says that in the later times some people will ·stop believing [abandon; desert] the faith [2 Thess. 2:3–9; 2 Tim. 3:1]. They will ·follow [occupy themselves with; devote themselves to] ·spirits that lie [deceiving spirits] and teachings of demons. ² Such teachings come ·from the false words [or through the hypocrisy] of liars whose consciences are ·destroyed [seared; or branded] as if by a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and tell them not to eat certain foods which God created to be ·eaten [received] with thanks by people who believe and know the truth. ⁴ [^LFor] Everything God created is good, and nothing should be ·refused [rejected] if it is accepted with thanks, ⁵ because it is ·made holy [sanctified] by ·what God has said [the word/pronouncement of God] and by prayer.

Be a Good Servant of Christ

⁶ By ·telling [pointing out] these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will be ·made strong [nourished; nurtured] by the words of the faith and the good teaching which you have been following. ⁷ But ·do not follow [reject] ·foolish stories that disagree with God’s truth [^Tgodless myths and old wives tales], but train yourself ·to serve God [for godliness/piety]. ⁸ [^LFor] ·Training your body [Physical exercise] helps you in ·some [or small] ways, but ·serving God [godliness] helps you in every way ·by bringing you blessings [^Lsince it holds promise] in this life and in the future life, too. ⁹ What I say is true [or This saying/word is trustworthy; 1:15; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8], and ·you should fully accept it [^Lworthy of full acceptance]. ¹⁰ This is why we work and struggle,^[f] because we have put our hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Do not let anyone ·treat you as if you are unimportant [despise/disregard/look down on you] because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your ·actions [conduct; behavior], your love, your ·faith [faithfulness], and your ·pure life [purity]. ¹³ Until I come, ·continue to read the Scriptures to the people [attend/devote yourself to the public reading (of Scripture)], ·strengthen [encourage; exhort] them, and teach them. ¹⁴ ·Use [^LDo not neglect] the ·gift from the Spirit [spiritual gift; ^Lgift] ·you have [that is in you], which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you [^Ca way of dedicating someone to Christian service; 1:18; 5:22]. ¹⁵ ·Continue [Take care; Be diligent] to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. ¹⁶ Be ·careful [conscientious] ·in your life [^Labout yourself] and in your teaching. If you ·continue to live and teach rightly [^Lpersevere in these things], you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Rules for Living with Others

5 Do not ·speak angrily to [rebuke; speak harshly to] an older man, but ·plead with [exhort; encourage] him as if he were your father. Treat younger men like brothers, ² older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters. ·Always treat them in a pure way [^L…with complete purity].

³ ·Take care of [Provide support for; or Honor; Show respect to; ^Cboth honor and financial help are likely in mind] widows who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to ·do their duty to [or practice their piety/godliness toward] their own ·family [household] and to repay their parents or grandparents. [^LFor] That pleases God. ⁵ The true widow, who is all alone, puts her hope in God and continues ·to pray night and day for God’s help [^Lin petitions and prayers night and day]. ⁶ But the widow who ·uses her life to please herself [lives in luxury; is self-indulgent] is really dead while she is alive. ⁷ ·Tell [Command; Instruct] the believers to do these things so that ·no one can criticize them [they may be blameless/above reproach]. ⁸ Whoever does not care for his ·own relatives [^Lown], especially his own family members, has ·turned against [denied; rejected] the faith and is worse than ·someone who does not believe in God [^Lan unbeliever].

⁹ To be on the list of widows [^Cprobably a list of those widows who received regular support from the church], a woman must be at least sixty years old. She must have been ·faithful to her husband [or married only once; or the wife of one husband]. ¹⁰ She must be known for her good works—works such as raising her children, ·welcoming strangers [practicing hospitality], washing the feet of ·God’s people [^Tthe saints], helping those in ·trouble [distress; hardship], and ·giving [devoting] her life to do all kinds of good deeds.

¹¹ But do not put younger widows on that list. After they give themselves to Christ, they are pulled away from him by their physical desires, and then they want to marry again. ¹² They will be judged for ·not doing what they first promised to do [breaking/despising their first pledge]. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to ·waste their time [be idle], going from house to house. And they not only ·waste their time [are idlers] but also begin to gossip and ·busy themselves with other people’s lives [become busybodies/meddlers], saying things they should not say. ¹⁴ So I want the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their homes. Then ·no enemy will [or the adversary will not; ^CSatan] have any ·reason [or opportunity] ·to criticize them [or for maligning/slandering (us/them)]. ¹⁵ But some have already ·turned [wandered; strayed] away to follow Satan.

¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should ·care for [provide support for] them herself. The church should not ·have to care for them [^Lcarry this burden]. Then it will be able to ·take care of [support] those who are truly widows.

¹⁷ The elders who lead the church well should receive ·double honor [or both honor and remuneration; ^Cprobably includes both respect and financial support; see v. 3], especially those who work hard by ·speaking [preaching] and teaching, ¹⁸ because the Scripture says: “When an ox is ·working in the grain [threshing], do not ·cover its mouth to keep it from eating [muzzle it; Deut. 25:4],” and “A worker ·should be given his pay [deserves his wages; ^Tis worthy of his hire; Luke 10:7].”

¹⁹ Do not listen to someone who accuses an elder, without two or three witnesses [Deut. 19:15]. ²⁰ ·Reprimand [Rebuke] those who continue sinning. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will ·have a warning [^Lfear; or show reverence].

²¹ Before God and Christ Jesus and the ·chosen [elect] angels, I ·command [solemnly charge] you to ·do [keep; guard] these things without ·taking sides [prejudice] or showing favoritism of any kind.

²² ·Think carefully before you [^LDo not quickly/hastily] ·appoint someone to leadership [^Llay your hands on anyone; 4:14; ^Ca way of dedicating someone to Christian service], and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Stop drinking only water, but drink a little wine to help your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.

²⁴ The sins of some people are ·easy to see [obvious; evident] ·even before they are judged [or arriving at the judgment before they do; or preceding them into court; ^Lgoing before them to judgment], but the sins of others ·are seen only later [arrive later; ^Lfollow after]. ²⁵ So also good deeds are ·easy to see [obvious; evident], but even those that are not easily seen cannot stay hidden [^Csince they will be revealed on judgment day].

6 All who are ·slaves [^Lslaves under a yoke] should show full ·respect [honor] to their masters so no one will ·speak against [revile; blaspheme] God’s name and ·our teaching [or Christian doctrine; ^Lthe teaching]. ² The slaves whose masters are believers should not ·show their masters any less respect [disrespect them; or take advantage of them] because they are believers. They should serve their masters even better, because they are helping believers ·they love [or loved by God; ^Lwho are beloved].

You must teach and ·preach [encourage/exhort them about] these things.

False Teaching and True Riches

³ Anyone who has a different teaching and does not agree with the ·true teaching [sound/healthy words] of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that ·shows the true way to serve God [promotes piety/godliness]— ⁴ that person is ·full of pride [arrogant; conceited] and understands nothing, but ·is sick with a love for [has an unhealthy interest in] ·arguing [controversies; debate] and ·fighting about [quarrels over] words. This brings ·jealousy [envy], ·fighting [strife; division], ·speaking against others [slander; blasphemy], evil ·mistrust [suspicions], ⁵ and constant ·quarrels [bickering; disputes] from those who have ·evil [depraved; corrupted] minds and have ·lost [been deprived of] the truth. They think that ·serving God [godliness; piety] is a way to ·get rich [make a profit].

⁶ [^LBut] ·Serving God [Godliness; Piety] does ·make us very rich [bring great profit], ·if we are satisfied with what we have [when accompanied by contentment]. ⁷ [^LFor] We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. ⁸ But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. ⁹ Those who want to become rich ·bring temptation to themselves [^Lfall into temptation] and are caught in a trap. They ·want [desire] many foolish and harmful things that ·ruin and destroy people [^Lplunge people into ruin and destruction]. ¹⁰ [^LFor] The love of money ·causes [^Lis the root of] all kinds of evil. Some people have ·left [strayed/wandered from] the faith, because they wanted ·to get more money [^Lit], ·but they have caused themselves much sorrow [^Land have pierced themselves with many pains].

Some Things to Remember

¹¹ But you, man of God, ·run away from [flee] all those things. Instead, chase after [pursue] ·a right relationship with God [righteousness], a godly life [godliness; piety], faith, love, ·patience [perseverance; endurance], and gentleness. ¹² ·Fight the good fight [or Run the good race] of faith, grabbing hold of ·the life that continues forever [eternal life]. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses [1:18]. ¹³ ·In the sight of [In the presence of; ^LBefore] God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, I ·give you a command [exhort/encourage/charge you]. Christ Jesus made the good confession when he stood before Pontius Pilate [Matt. 27:11–26; Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–24; John 18:28—19:16]. ¹⁴ ·Do what you were commanded to do [Keep/Obey the command] without ·wrong [spot; stain] or blame until our Lord Jesus Christ ·comes again [returns; appears]. ¹⁵ God will ·make that happen [^Lreveal it] at ·the right [the appointed; his own] time. He is the blessed and only ·Ruler [Sovereign], the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. ¹⁶ He is the only One who ·never dies [has immortality]. He lives in light ·so bright no one can go near it [unapproachable]. No one has ever seen God, or can see him. May honor and power belong to God forever. Amen.

¹⁷ Command those who are rich ·with things of this world [^Lin the present age] not to be ·proud [arrogant; haughty]. Tell them to hope in God, not in their uncertain riches. God richly gives us everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ Tell ·the rich people [^Lthem] to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. ¹⁹ By doing that, they will be ·saving [storing up] a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future. Then they will be able to ·have [take hold of] the life that is true life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what God has ·trusted to [entrusted/deposited with] you. Stay away from foolish, ·useless [irreverent; godless] talk and from the ·arguments [absurdities; contradictions] of what is falsely called “knowledge.” ²¹ By ·saying they have that “knowledge” [^Lclaiming/professing it], some have ·missed [strayed/lost their way from] the true faith.

Grace be with you.

1 From Paul, an ·apostle [messenger] of Christ Jesus by the will of God. ·God sent me to tell about [^L…according to] the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

² To Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24], a ·dear [beloved] child to me [1 Tim. 1:2]:

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Encouragement for Timothy

³ I thank God as I always ·mention [remember] you in my prayers, day and night. I serve him, ·doing what I know is right [with a clear conscience] as my ancestors did. ⁴ Remembering your tears [^Cprobably at Paul’s departure], I ·want very much [long] to see you so I can be filled with joy. ⁵ I remember your ·true [sincere] faith. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I ·know [am sure/persuaded] you now have that same faith. ⁶ This is why I remind you to ·keep using [rekindle; fan into flames] the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you [^Ca way of dedicating someone to Christian service; 1 Tim. 4:14]. ⁷ [^LFor] God did not give us ·a spirit [or the Spirit] that makes us ·afraid [timid] but ·a spirit [or the Spirit] of power and love and ·self-control [self-discipline; or good judgment].

⁸ So do not be ashamed to ·tell people [testify; bear witness] about our Lord, and do not be ashamed of me, ·in prison for the Lord [^Lhis prisoner; ^CPaul was in prison in Rome for a second time and would soon be executed]. But suffer with me for the ·Good News [Gospel]. God, who gives us the strength to do that, ⁹ saved us and ·made us his holy people [^Lcalled us to a holy calling]. That was not because of anything we did ourselves but because of ·God’s [^Lhis own] purpose and grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before ·time began [^Leternal times], ¹⁰ but it is now ·shown [revealed; manifested] to us by the ·coming [appearing; manifestation] of our Savior Christ Jesus. He ·destroyed [broke the power of; abolished] death, and through the ·Good News [Gospel] he ·showed us the way to have [^Lilluminated; brought to light] ·life that cannot be destroyed [immortal life; ^Llife and immortality]. ¹¹ I was ·chosen [appointed] ·to tell that Good News [^La preacher/herald] and to be an apostle and a teacher. ¹² I am suffering now ·because I tell the Good News [^Lfor this reason], but I am not ashamed, because I know the One in whom I have ·believed [put my trust/faith]. And I am ·sure [convinced; confident] he is able to ·protect [guard; keep safe] what ·he has trusted me with [or I have entrusted with him; ^Lmy deposit/entrustment] until that day [^Cthe final day of judgment and reward]. ¹³ ·Follow the pattern [or Hold to the standard/norm] of true teachings that you heard from me ·in [or accompanied by the] faith and love, which are ·available in [^Lin] Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ ·Protect [Guard] the ·truth that you were given [^Lthe good deposit entrusted to you]; ·protect [guard] it ·with the help of [by the power of; ^Lthrough; by] the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

¹⁵ You know that everyone in Asia [^Ca Roman province in present-day western Turkey] has left me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord show ·mercy [kindness] to the family of Onesiphorus [4:20; ^Cthe reference to the “family” rather than the man may indicate that Onesiphorus has since died], who has often ·helped [encouraged; refreshed] me and was not ashamed ·that I was in prison [^Lof my chains]. ¹⁷ When he came to Rome, he ·looked eagerly [searched diligently] for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord ·allow him to find [grant/give him] mercy from the Lord on that day [^Cthe final day of judgment and reward]. You know very well how many ways he ·helped [served] me in Ephesus [^Ca major port city in the Roman province of Asia, present-day western Turkey; Acts 19].

A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus

2 You then, Timothy, my child, be strong in the grace we have in Christ Jesus. ² You should ·teach [entrust to; or pass on to] people ·whom you can trust [who are faithful/reliable] the things you have heard me say ·in the presence of [or confirmed by] many witnesses. Then they will be able to teach others. ³ ·Share in the troubles we have [or Join me in suffering] like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ A soldier wants to please the ·enlisting [or commanding] officer, so no one serving in the army ·wastes time with [gets involved/entangled with] ·everyday matters [civilian affairs]. ⁵ Also an athlete who takes part in a contest must ·obey all [play by] the rules in order to ·win [^Lbe crowned; ^Cwith the victor’s wreath]. ⁶ The farmer who works hard should be the first person to get some of the food that was grown. ⁷ Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will give you the ability to understand everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, who is from the ·family [^Lseed] of David [2 Sam. 7:12–16]. ·This is the Good News I preach [^L…according to my Gospel], ⁹ and I am suffering because of it to the point of being bound with chains like a criminal. But God’s ·teaching [message; word] is not in chains. ¹⁰ So I ·patiently accept [endure] all these troubles so that those whom God has chosen can ·have [receive; obtain] the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With that salvation comes ·glory that never ends [eternal glory].

¹¹ This ·teaching is true [saying/word is trustworthy; 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Titus 3:8; ^Cwhat follows may be an early Christian hymn]:

A Worker Pleasing to God

¹⁴ ·Continue teaching [^LRemind them of] these things, ·warning people [^Lsolemnly testifying/declaring] in God’s presence not to ·argue [quarrel] about words. It ·does not help anyone [is good for nothing], and it ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ ·Make every effort [Do your best; Be diligent] to ·give [present] yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who ·is not ashamed [or will not be shamed] and who ·uses the true teaching in the right way [correctly handles the true message/word of truth; or holds carefully to the true message/word of truth]. ¹⁶ Stay away from ·foolish, useless talk [godless/irreverent chatter; 1 Tim. 1:3–4; 4:7; 6:20], because that will lead people ·further away from God [into even more ungodliness]. ¹⁷ Their evil teaching will spread like ·a sickness inside the body [^Lgangrene]. Hymenaeus [1 Tim. 1:20] and Philetus are like that [^Cprobably false teachers and opponents of Paul from Ephesus]. ¹⁸ They have ·left [strayed away from] the ·true teaching [truth], saying that the ·rising from the dead [resurrection] has already taken place, and so they are ·destroying [undermining; overturning] the faith of some people. ¹⁹ But God’s strong foundation continues to stand, ·sealed [inscribed; engraved] with these words: “The Lord knows those who belong to him [Num. 16:5],” and “Everyone who ·wants to belong to [^Lnames the name of] the Lord must ·stop doing wrong [^Lturn away from wickedess/injustice].”

²⁰ In a ·large house [wealthy household] there are not only ·things [vessels; dishes] made of gold and silver, but also ·things [vessels; dishes] made of wood and clay. Some things are used for ·special [honorable; noble] purposes, and others are made for ·ordinary [dishonorable; ignoble] jobs [^Csuch as garbage or excrement]. ²¹ All who make themselves clean from ·evil [^Lthese things; ^Cthe false teaching described in vv. 16–18] will be used for ·special [honorable; noble] purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work.

²² But ·run away from [flee] the ·evil desires [passions; desires] of youth. ·Try hard to live right and to have [^LPursue righteousness,] faith, love, and peace, together with those who ·trust in [^Lcall upon] the Lord from pure hearts. ²³ ·Stay away from [Avoid; Having nothing to do with] foolish and ·stupid [ignorant] ·arguments [controversies; speculation], because you know they ·grow into [breed; beget] quarrels. ²⁴ And a ·servant [slave; bondservant] of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, a ·good [qualified; able] teacher, and patient. ²⁵ ·The Lord’s servant must gently teach [^L…gently instructing/correcting] those who ·disagree [are opponents]. Then ·maybe [perhaps] God will ·let them change their minds [^Lgrant them repentance] ·so they can accept [^Lleading to knowledge of] the truth. ²⁶ And they may ·wake up [come to their senses] and escape from the ·trap [snare] of the devil, who catches them to do ·what he wants [his will].

The Last Days

3 ·Remember [Know] this! In the last days there will be ·many troubles [^Ldifficult/terrible times], ² because people will love themselves, love money, ·brag [boast], and be ·proud [arrogant]. They will ·say evil things against others [speak abusively; or blaspheme] and will not obey their parents or be ·thankful [grateful] or be ·the kind of people God wants [holy; pious]. ³ They will not love others, will refuse to ·forgive [reconcile], will ·gossip [slander], and will not control themselves. They will be ·cruel [brutal], will ·hate [^Lnot love] what is good, ⁴ will ·turn against their friends [be treacherous/traitors], and will ·do foolish things without thinking [be reckless]. They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God, ⁵ ·and will act as if they serve God [^Lhaving a form/appearance of godliness/piety] but will ·not have his [or deny his/its] power. ·Stay away from [Avoid] those people. ⁶ [^LFor] Some of them ·go [sneak; worm their way; talk their way] into homes and ·get control of [captivate; gain influence over] ·silly [vulnerable; or idle] women who are ·full of [or burdened with (the guilt of)] sin and are ·led [swayed; controlled] by ·many [all kinds of] evil desires. ⁷ These women are always ·learning [or seeking out] new teachings, but they are never able to ·understand [arrive at] the truth fully. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres were against Moses [^Cthe traditional names (not found in the OT) of the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses; Ex. 7:11], these people are against the truth. Their ·thinking has been ruined [minds/thoughts are corrupted/depraved], and they ·have failed in trying to follow the faith [or are teaching a counterfeit faith]. ⁹ But they will not ·be successful in what they do [or get much further], because as with Jannes and Jambres, everyone will see ·that they are foolish [their folly/ignorance].

Obey the Teachings

¹⁰ But you have followed what I teach, the way I live, my ·goal [purpose/aim (in life)], faith, patience, and love. ·You know I never give up [^L…my endurance]. ¹¹ ·You know how I have been hurt and have suffered […my persecution and suffering], as in Antioch [Acts 13:14–52], Iconium [Acts 14:1–5], and Lystra [Acts 14:6–20]. I have ·suffered [^Lendured such persecutions], but the Lord ·saved [rescued; delivered] me from all those troubles. ¹² [^LIndeed; In fact] Everyone who wants to live ·as God desires [in a godly manner], in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted. ¹³ But people who are evil and ·cheat others [impostors; charlatans] will go from bad to worse. ·They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves [^L…deceiving and being deceived].

¹⁴ But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You ·know [are confident] they are true, ·because you trust those who taught you [^Lknowing from whom you learned them]. ¹⁵ Since you were a ·child [infant] you have known the ·Holy Scriptures [or sacred writings] which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is ·inspired by God [breathed out by God; ^LGod-breathed] and is useful for teaching, for ·showing people what is wrong in their lives [refuting error; rebuking], for correcting faults, and for ·teaching how to live right [training in righteousness]. ¹⁷ ·Using the Scriptures, [^L…so that] ·the person who serves God [^LGod’s person] will be ·capable [competent], ·having all that is needed [fully equipped] to do every good work.

4 I ·give you a command [solemnly charge you] in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who will judge the living and the dead, and by his ·coming [appearing] and his kingdom: ² Preach the ·Good News [Gospel]. Be ready ·at all times [whether it is convenient or inconvenient; in season or out of season], and ·tell people what they need to do [correct; reprove]. ·Tell them when they are wrong [Rebuke]. ·Encourage [Comfort; Exhort] them with ·great patience and careful teaching [^Lall patience and teaching], ³ because the time will come when people will not ·listen to [put up with; endure] the ·true [sound; healthy] teaching but will ·find many more [gather around themselves; accumulate] teachers who ·please them [meet their needs/desires] by saying the things ·they want to hear [their ears itch for]. ⁴ They will ·stop listening to [^Lturn their ears/hearing away from] the truth and will ·begin to follow [wander/turn aside to] ·false stories [myths]. ⁵ But you should ·control yourself [be sober-minded] at all times, ·accept troubles [endure hardships], do the work of ·telling the Good News [^Lan evangelist], and ·complete all the duties of a servant of God [^Lfulfill your service/ministry].

⁶ [^LFor] My life is being ·given as an offering to God [^Lpoured out as a drink offering; Num. 28:24; Phil. 2:17], and the time has come for ·me to leave this life [^Lmy departure]. ⁷ I have ·fought the good fight [or competed well], I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now, a ·crown [victor’s wreath] is ·being held [reserved] for me—a ·crown [victor’s wreath] ·for being right with God [^Lof righteousness]. The Lord, the ·judge who judges rightly [^Lrighteous/just judge], will give the ·crown [victor’s wreath] to me on that day [^Cthe final day of judgment and reward]—not only to me but to all those who have ·waited with love for him to come again [^Lloved his appearing].

Personal Words

⁹ ·Do your best [Make every effort; Be diligent] to come to me as soon as you can, ¹⁰ because Demas [Col. 4:14; Philem. 24], who loved this ·world [^Lpresent age], ·left [deserted] me and went to Thessalonica [^Ca city in Macedonia, present-day northern Greece; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 2:1]. Crescens went to Galatia [^Ca Roman province in present-day central Turkey; Gal. 1:2], and Titus [2 Cor. 2:13; Gal. 2:1–3; Titus 1:1] went to Dalmatia [^Ca Roman province, mostly in present-day Croatia]. ¹¹ Luke [Col. 4:14; Philem. 24] is the only one still with me. Get Mark [Acts 12:25; 13:13; 15:37–39; Col. 4:10] and bring him with you when you come, because he can help me in my work here. ¹² I sent Tychicus [Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; Titus 3:12] to Ephesus [1:18; 1 Tim. 1:3]. ¹³ When I was in Troas [^Ca city in northwest Asia Minor; Acts 16:8, 11; 20:5–6], I left my ·coat [cloak] there with Carpus. So when you come, bring it to me, along with my ·books [or scrolls], particularly the ones written on parchment [^Cwriting material made from animal skins].

¹⁴ Alexander the ·metalworker [or coppersmith; 1 Tim. 1:20] did many ·harmful [evil] things against me. The Lord will ·punish [repay] him for what he did [Ps. 28:4]. ¹⁵ You also should be ·careful that he does not hurt you [^Lon your guard], because he ·fought strongly against [strongly opposed] our ·teaching [message; words].

¹⁶ ·The first time I defended myself [or At my first defense/court hearing], no one ·helped me [appeared on my behalf]; everyone ·left [deserted] me. May ·they be forgiven [^Lit not be counted/reckoned against them]. ¹⁷ But the Lord ·stayed [stood] with me and gave me strength so I could fully tell the ·Good News [Gospel; ^Lproclamation] for all the ·Gentiles [nations] to hear. So I was ·saved [rescued; delivered] from the lion’s mouth [^Ca reference to literal or, more likely, figurative death; the lion may represent the Roman emperor Nero]. ¹⁸ The Lord will ·save [rescue; deliver] me ·when anyone tries to hurt me [^Lfrom every evil deed], and he will ·bring me safely [^Lsave me] to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be ·the Lord’s [^Lto him]. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹⁹ Greet ·Priscilla [^LPrisca] and Aquila [Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom. 16:3–4; 1 Cor. 16:19] and the family of Onesiphorus [1:17]. ²⁰ Erastus [Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23] stayed in Corinth [^Ca major city in Achaia, present-day southern Greece; Acts 18; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1], and I left Trophimus [Acts 20:4; 21:29] sick in Miletus [^Ca coastal city near Ephesus; Acts 20:15, 17]. ²¹ ·Try as hard as you can [Make every effort; Do your best] to come to me before winter.

Eubulus sends greetings to you. Also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters in Christ greet you.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

1 From Paul, a ·servant [slave; bondservant] of God and an ·apostle [messenger] of Jesus Christ. I was sent ·to help [or in the service of; or to bring about] the faith of God’s ·chosen people [elect] and to help them know the truth that ·shows people how to serve God [or leads to godliness/piety]. ² That faith and that knowledge ·come from [or lead to] the ·hope for [confidence/certainty of] ·life forever [eternal life], which God, who never lies, promised to us before ·time began [^Leternal times]. ³ At ·the right [the appointed; his own] time God ·let the world know about that life [^Lrevealed/manifested his word/message] through preaching. He ·trusted [entrusted] me with that work by the command of God our Savior.

⁴ To Titus [2 Cor. 2:13; 7:6; 8:16; Gal. 2:1–3], my ·true [genuine] child in the faith we share:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus’ Work in Crete

⁵ I left you in Crete [^Can island in the Mediterranean southeast of Greece] so you could ·finish doing [organize; straighten out] the things that still needed to be done and so you could appoint elders in every ·town [city], as I directed you. ⁶ An elder [1 Tim. 3:1–7] must ·not be guilty of doing wrong [be blameless], must ·have only one wife [or be faithful to his wife], and must have ·believing [or faithful] children. They must not be ·known as children who are [accused of being] ·wild [reckless] and ·do not cooperate [unruly; undisciplined; rebellious]. ⁷ As God’s ·managers [stewards], overseers [^Cprobably the same church office as elder; 1 Tim. 3:1, 6, 7; 5:17] must be ·innocent of wrongdoing [blameless], ·unselfish [not arrogant/self-willed], not ·quick-tempered [easily angered]. They must not ·drink too much wine [be a drunkard], ·like to fight [be violent/a brawler], or ·try to get rich by cheating others [be greedy for gain/dishonest in business]. ⁸ Overseers must be ·ready to welcome guests [hospitable], love what is good, be ·wise [self-controlled; sensible], ·live right [upright; just], and be ·holy [devout] and ·self-controlled [disciplined]. ⁹ By holding ·on [firmly] to the ·trustworthy [faithful] ·word [message] just as it was taught to them, overseers can ·encourage [exhort] people with ·true [sound; healthy] teaching, and they can ·correct [reprove; refute] those who are against it.

¹⁰ There are many ·people who refuse to cooperate [unruly/rebellious people], who talk about ·worthless [empty; useless] things and ·lead others into the wrong way [deceive others]—·mainly [especially] those ·who insist on circumcision to be saved [or among the Jewish Christians; ^Lof the circumcision]. ¹¹ These people must be ·stopped [^Lsilenced], because they are ·upsetting [misleading; ruining; overthrowing] whole families by teaching things they should not teach, which they do ·to get rich by cheating people [for dishonest gain]. ¹² Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil ·animals [beasts], and lazy ·people who do nothing but eat [gluttons; ^Ca quote from Epimenides, a poet from Crete (sixth century bc)].” ¹³ ·The words that prophet said are [^LThis testimony is] true. So ·firmly [severely; sharply] ·tell those people they are wrong [rebuke/admonish them] so they may become ·strong [sound; healthy] in the faith, ¹⁴ not ·accepting [paying attention to; wasting time with] Jewish ·false stories [myths; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4] and the commands of people who ·reject [turn their backs on] the truth. ¹⁵ To those who are pure, all things are pure, but to those who are ·full of sin [defiled; polluted (with sin)] and ·do not believe [unfaithful], nothing is pure. Both their minds and their consciences have been ·ruined [defiled; polluted]. ¹⁶ They ·say [claim; confess] they know God, but their actions show they ·do not accept [deny] him. They are ·hateful people [detestable; abominable], they refuse to obey, and they are ·useless [unfit; disqualified] for doing anything good.

Follow theTrue Teaching

2 But you must tell everyone what ·to do to follow [or is consistent with] ·the true [sound; healthy] teaching. ² Teach older men to be ·self-controlled [sober], ·serious [dignified; worthy of respect], ·wise [self-controlled], ·strong [sound; healthy] in faith, in love, and in ·patience [endurance].

³ In the same way, teach older women to be ·holy [reverent] in their behavior, not ·speaking against [slandering; gossiping about] others or enslaved to ·too much wine [excessive drinking], but teaching what is good. ⁴ Then they can ·teach [train] the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be ·wise [sensible; self-controlled] and pure, to be ·good workers at home [devoted to home life], to be kind, and to ·yield [submit] to their husbands. Then no one will be able to ·criticize [discredit; malign; blaspheme] the ·teaching God gave us [word of God].

⁶ In the same way, encourage young men to be ·wise [self-controlled]. ⁷ In every way be an example of doing good deeds. When you teach, do it with ·honesty [integrity] and ·seriousness [dignity]. ⁸ Speak ·the truth [a sound message] so that you cannot be ·criticized [condemned]. Then those who are against you will be ashamed because there is nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ ·Slaves [Bondservants] should ·yield [submit] to their own masters at all times, trying to please them and not ·arguing with [talking back to] them. ¹⁰ They should not ·steal [pilfer] from them but should show their masters ·they can be fully trusted [or that their faith is good/productive; ^Lall good faith] so that in everything they do they will ·make attractive [adorn; show the beauty of] the teaching of God our Savior.

¹¹ ·That is the way we should live, because [^LFor] God’s grace that can save everyone has ·come [appeared; been revealed]. ¹² It ·teaches [trains; disciplines] us to ·turn away from [reject; deny] ungodly living and ·the evil things the world wants to do [or worldly desires; sinful pleasures]. Instead, that grace teaches us to live in the present age in a ·wise [self-controlled] and ·right [upright; just] way and in a ·way that shows we serve God [godly manner]. ¹³ We should live like that while we wait for our ·great [happy; blessed] hope and the ·coming of the glory [glorious appearing/manifestation] of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us so he might ·pay the price to free [redeem; ransom] us from all ·evil [wickedness; lawlessness] and to make us pure people who belong only to him—people who are always ·wanting [eager; zealous] to do good deeds.

¹⁵ Say these things and ·encourage [exhort] the people and ·tell them what is wrong in their lives [rebuke/admonish them], with all authority. Do not let anyone ·treat you as if you were unimportant [look down on/despise/disregard you].

The Right Way to Live

3 Remind the believers to ·yield to the authority of [submit/be subject to] rulers and ·government leaders [authorities], to obey them, to be ready to do ·good [whatever is good; ^Levery good work], ² to ·speak no evil about anyone [slander no one], to ·live in peace [avoid fighting], and to be gentle and ·polite [considerate; courteous] to all people.

³ In the past we also were foolish. We did not obey, we were ·wrong [mislead; deceived], and we were slaves to ·many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed [^Lvarious passions and pleasures]. We spent our lives doing evil and being ·jealous [envious]. People hated us, and we hated each other. ⁴ But when the kindness and ·love [love of humanity] of God our Savior ·was shown [appeared; was revealed], ⁵ he saved us because of his mercy. It was not because of ·good deeds we did to be right with him [or righteous deeds we did]. He saved us through the washing ·that made us new people [^Lof new-birth/regeneration and renewal] ·through [by] the Holy Spirit. ⁶ God poured out ·richly [generously; abundantly] upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Being [^L…so that having been] ·made right with God [justified; declared righteous] by his grace, we could ·have the hope of receiving [^Lbecome heirs with the hope/expectation of] ·the life that never ends [eternal life].

⁸ This ·teaching is true [saying/word is trustworthy; 1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11], and I want you to ·be sure the people understand [or insist on] these things. Then those who ·believe [trust; have faith] in God will ·be careful to use their lives for [devote themselves to; or take the lead in] doing good. These things are good and will ·help [be beneficial for] everyone.

⁹ But ·stay away from [avoid] foolish ·arguments [controversies; debates] and ·talk about useless family histories [^Lgenealogies; 1 Tim. 1:4] and ·arguments [quarrels; disputes] and ·quarrels [fights] about the law [1:10, 14; 1 Tim. 1:3–7]. Those things are ·worth nothing [unprofitable] and ·will not help anyone [empty]. ¹⁰ After a first and second warning, ·avoid [reject; have nothing to do with] someone who ·causes arguments [is divisive; causes factions]. ¹¹ You can know that such people are ·evil [warped; perverted; corrupt] and sinful; ·their own sins prove them wrong [^L…being self-condemned].

Some Things to Remember

¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus [Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12] to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis [^Ca city located on the west coast of Greece], because I have decided to stay there this winter. ¹³ ·Do all you can [Make every effort] to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos [Acts 18:24, 27; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:4–6] on their journey so that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to ·use their lives for [devote themselves to; or take the lead in] doing good deeds to ·provide what is necessary [meet urgent needs] so that their lives will not be ·useless [unfruitful].

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

Grace be with you all.

¹ From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24], our brother.

To Philemon, our ·dear friend [brother] and ·worker with us [coworker]; ² to Apphia [^Cperhaps Philemon’s wife], our sister; to Archippus [^Cpossibly Philemon’s son], ·a worker with us [^Lour fellow soldier]; and to the church that meets in your home:

³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

⁴ I always thank my God when I ·mention [remember] you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear about the love you have for all ·God’s holy people [^Tthe saints] and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that the ·faith you share [the sharing/fellowship of your faith] may ·make you [enable/empower you to] understand every blessing we have in Christ. ⁷ I have great joy and comfort, my brother, because the love you have shown to ·God’s people [^Tthe saints] has refreshed ·them [their hearts; ^Ltheir inward parts; ^Cthe seat of emotions].

Accept Onesimus as a Brother

⁸ So, in Christ, I could be bold and order you to do what is ·right [required; proper; your duty]. ⁹ But because I love you, I am ·pleading with [appealing to; urging; encouraging] you instead. I, Paul, an old man now and also a prisoner [^Cin Rome, about ad 60; Acts 28:16–31; Phil. 1:7] for Christ Jesus, ¹⁰ am ·pleading with [appealing to; urging; encouraging] you for my child Onesimus, ·who became my child [^Lwhom I begat/fathered; ^CPaul evidently led Onesimus to Christ in Rome] while I was in prison. ¹¹ In the past he was ·useless [unprofitable; worthless] to you, but now he has become ·useful [helpful; valuable] for both you and me [^Ca play on words, since Onesimus means “useful” or “helpful”].

¹² I am sending him back to you, and ·with him I am sending my own heart [or he is my very heart]. ¹³ I wanted to keep him with me so that ·in your place [or on your behalf] he might ·help [serve] me while I am in prison for the ·Good News [Gospel]. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without ·asking you first [your consent] so that any good you do for me will be because you want to do it, not ·because I forced you [out of compulsion]. ¹⁵ [^LFor] Maybe Onesimus was separated from you for a short time so you could have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a loved brother. ·I love him very much, but you will love him even more [^L…especially to me, but more so to you], both ·as a person [or in the natural realm; ^Lin the flesh] and ·as a believer in the Lord [or in the spiritual realm; ^Lin the Lord].

¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, ·welcome [receive; accept] Onesimus as you would ·welcome [receive; accept] me. ¹⁸ If he has ·done anything wrong to [defrauded; harmed] you or if he owes you anything, charge that to me. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand [^Ccontrary to his usual practice of using a scribe, or amanuensis; Rom. 16:22]. I will pay it back, and I will ·say nothing about what [make no mention that] you owe me for your ·own life [very self; ^CPaul had evidently led Philemon to Christ]. ²⁰ ·So [^LYes], my brother, I ask ·that you do this for me [for this benefit/favor from you] in the Lord: Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ I write this letter, ·knowing [^Lconfident of your obedience/compliance, knowing] that you will do what I ask you and even more.

²² One more thing—prepare a ·room [guest room] for me in which to stay, because I hope God will answer your prayers and I will be ·able to come [restored; ^Lgranted] to you.

Final Greetings

²³ Epaphras [Col. 1:7; 4:12], a prisoner with me for Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you. ²⁴ And also Mark [Acts 12:25; 13:13; 15:37–39; Col. 4:10], Aristarchus [Acts 19:29; Col. 4:10], Demas [Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:10], and Luke [Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11], ·workers together with me [my coworkers], send greetings.

²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.