< 1 Timothy 1 >
1 Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the appointment of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope,
2 to Timothy my true son in the faith, be grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 As I exhorted thee to stay at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain persons not to teach other doctrine,
4 nor attend to fables and endless genealogies, which occasion debates, rather than pious edification in the faith:
5 so do, and acquaint them that the end of that charge is charity, out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned:
6 from which some having swerved are turned aside to vain discourses;
7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they neither understand what they say, nor what things they assert.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 knowing this, that a law does not lie against a righteous person, but against the lawless and unruly, the impious and wicked, the unholy and profane,
10 parricides, murderers, whoremongers, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, false-swearers, and if there be any thing else contrary to that sound doctrine,
11 which is according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was intrusted.
12 And I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me ability for the work, that He accounted me faithful, having put me into the ministry,
13 who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an oppressor. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief: and the grace of our Lord superabounded,
14 with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
15 It is a truth highly to be believed, and worthy to be received by all, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: ---of whom I am one of the chief.
16 But for this end I obtained mercy, that in me a chief sinner Jesus Christ might display his long-suffering, for an example to those who should afterwards believe on Him to eternal life. (aiōnios )
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn )
18 This charge I commit to thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which before came on thee, that by them thou mightest war a good warfare,
19 having faith and a good conscience, which some putting away have made shipwreck concerning the faith:
20 of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
