even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.

By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands.

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God’s work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching and correct those who speak against it.

They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another.

However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.

and like a robe you will fold them up and like a garment they will be changed, but you are the same and your years will never run out.”