1:1 From Paul,¹ an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior² and of Christ Jesus our hope. 1:2 To Timothy, my genuine child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

1:3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct³ certain people not to spread false teachings,⁴ 1:4 nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies.⁵ These promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan⁶ that operates by faith. 1:5 But the aim of our instruction⁷ is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.⁸ 1:6 Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.⁹

1:8 But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately, 1:9 realizing that law¹⁰ is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 1:10 sexually immoral, practicing homosexuals,¹¹ kidnappers, liars, perjurers— in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching. 1:11 This¹² accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God¹³ that was entrusted to me.¹⁴

1:12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, 1:13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant¹⁵ man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 1:14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.¹⁶ 1:15 This saying¹⁷ is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and I am the worst of them.¹⁸ 1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that¹⁹ in me as the worst,²⁰ Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 1:17 Now to the eternal king,²¹ immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!²² Amen.

1:18 I put this charge²³ before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you,²⁴ in order that with such encouragement²⁵ you may fight the good fight. 1:19 To do this²⁶ you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, that some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith. 1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan²⁷ to be taught not to blaspheme.