1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope,

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

3 As I urged you to stay at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that you might command certain men not to teach strange doctrines.

4 They should not pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These myths false storiesfabrications and genealogies stimulate questions and speculation. They do not enhance the administration of God that is by faith.

5 But the objective is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith without hypocrisy.

6 Some have turned aside to vain talk by deviating from these things.

7 They want to be teachers of the Law even though they do not know what they are talking about. They do not understand what they say or what they confidently affirm.

8 But we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it legitimately.

9 Knowing this, that Law is not made for a righteous person. It is for the lawless and unruly, the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, and for manslayers.

10 It is for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and everything else that is contrary to the sound teaching.

11 Sound teaching doctrine is according to the good news of the glory of the blessed happy God. This was committed to my trust.

12 I thank him that enabled me and counted me faithful, appointing me to his service, Christ Jesus our Lord.

13 I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a violent aggressor. I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.

16 For this I obtained mercy, which in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might show his long-suffering. This is for an example to those who should later believe in him for eternal life.

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 I entrust this command to you, Timothy, my son. It is in accordance with the prophecies that were previously made. They do apply to you, and with them you may fight the good fight.

19 Keep the faith and maintain a good conscience! Some have rejected these things and have suffered shipwreck to their faith.

20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander. I handed them over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.