1 Timothy

Greetings

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay in Ephesus to warn certain people not to teach false doctrine,

or to concern themselves with fables and endless genealogies. These lead to arguments rather than promoting a better service of God through faith

The goal of our warning is love, which comes from a pure mind, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

Some have abandoned such motivation and have fallen into pointless discussions.

They claim to be teachers of the law, but in reality, they do not understand either what they say or the topics they speak about.

We know that the law is good as long as it fulfills its purpose.

The law is not meant for the righteous but for the lawless, the wicked, and the sinful—those who do not respect God or religion, those who kill their parents, murderers,

and those who engage in unlawful sex and homosexuality. It is also for kidnappers and exploiters, liars and perjurers, and everyone contrary to sound doctrine,

including the gospel of the God of glory and happiness, which was entrusted to me.

I give thanks to Christ Jesus, our Lord, who is my strength, who has considered me trustworthy, and appointed me to his service,

although I had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a fanatical enemy. However, he took mercy on me because I did not know what I was doing when I opposed the faith;

This saying is trustworthy and worthy of belief: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.

Because of that, I was forgiven; Christ Jesus wanted to display his utmost patience so that I might be an example for all who are to believe, and obtain eternal life.

Timothy, my son, I command you to fight the good fight, fulfilling the prophetic words pronounced over you.

Hold onto faith and a good conscience, unlike those who, ignoring conscience, have finally wrecked their faith.