^1. PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

^2. To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

^3. As I urged you [2] upon my departure for Macedonia, [1] remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,

^4. nor to [4] pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering [3] the administration of God which is by faith.

^5. But the goal of our [5] instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

^6. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,

^7. wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

^8. But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,

^9. realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

^10. [11] and [10] immoral men [9] and homosexuals [8] and kidnappers [7] and liars [6] and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

^11. according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

^12. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,

^13. even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;

^14. and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

^15. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

^16. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those [12] who would believe in Him for eternal life.

^17. Now to the King [14] eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory [13] forever and ever. Amen.

^18. This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my [15] son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,

^19. keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to [16] their faith.

^20. [17] Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.