even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant ¹  man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,

For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle – I am telling the truth; ¹  I am not lying – and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant ¹  and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. ² 

And we all agree, ¹  our religion contains amazing revelation: ²  He ³  was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, ⁴  seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

If a believing woman ¹  has widows in her family, ²  let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need. ³ 

Those who are under the yoke as slaves ¹  must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent ²  the name of God and Christian teaching ³  from being discredited. ⁴ 

From Paul, ¹  an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior ²  and of Christ Jesus our hope,

and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹ 

First of all, then, I urge that requests, ¹  prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, ² 

But she will be delivered through childbearing, ¹  if she ²  continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

Deacons must be husbands of one wife ¹  and good managers of their children and their own households.

Elders who provide effective leadership ¹  must be counted worthy ²  of double honor, ³  especially those who work hard in speaking ⁴  and teaching.

(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion ¹  and your frequent illnesses.) ² 

For we have brought nothing into this world and so ¹  we cannot take a single thing out either.

And he must be well thought of by ¹  those outside the faith, ²  so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap. ³ 

For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves ¹  and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ² 

For the love of money is the root ¹  of all evils. ²  Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

realizing that law ¹  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,