it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent The-oph'ilus,

But Timothy's worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings,

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.

Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity,

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents.

Any one who goes ahead and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the doctrine has both the Father and the Son.

If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting;

And when they came to him, he said to them: "You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,

"My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.

for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's rich food, or with the wine which he drank; therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose;

Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans like a worldly man, ready to say Yes and No at once?

So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,

in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.