Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,w intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority,x that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godlinessy and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleasesz God our Savior,a 4 who wantsb all peoplec to be savedd and to come to a knowledge of the truth.e 5 For there is one Godf and one mediatorg between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,h 6 who gave himself as a ransomi for all people. This has now been witnessed toj at the proper time.k 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lyingl—and a true and faithful teacherm of the Gentiles.n

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy handso without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,p 10 but with good deeds,q appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A womana should learn in quietness and full submission.r 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;b she must be quiet.s 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.t 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.u 15 But womenc will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, lovev and holiness with propriety.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:w Whoever aspires to be an overseerx desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach,y faithful to his wife,z temperate,a self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,b able to teach,c 3 not given to drunkenness,d not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,e not a lover of money.f 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of fulla respect.g 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)h 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceitedi and fall under the same judgmentj as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,k so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.l

8 In the same way, deaconsb m are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,n and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.o 10 They must first be tested;p and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the womenc are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkersq but temperater and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wifes and must manage his children and his household well.t 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the churchu of the living God,v the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mysteryw from which true godlinessx springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,y

was vindicated by the Spirit,d

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,z

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.a

4 The Spiritb clearly says that in later timesc some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spiritsd and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.e 3 They forbid people to marryf and order them to abstain from certain foods,g which God createdh to be received with thanksgivingi by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,j and nothing is to be rejectedk if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of Godl and prayer.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,a you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faithm and of the good teaching that you have followed.n 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;o rather, train yourself to be godly.p 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,q holding promise for both the present lifer and the life to come.s 9 This is a trustworthy sayingt that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,u who is the Savior of all people,v and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.w 12 Don’t let anyone look down on youx because you are young, but set an exampley for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faithz and in purity. 13 Until I come,a devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,b to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecyc when the body of eldersd laid their hands on you.e

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will savef both yourself and your hearers.