< 1 Timothy 1 >

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, [which is] our hope;
This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the authority of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who is our hope.
2 Unto Timothy, [my] own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
I'm sending it to you Timothy. You are my true son because of your trust in God. May you have grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
When I was on my way to Macedonia I asked you to stay behind in Ephesus, so that you could speak with those who teach false ideas and insist that they stop.
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].
They shouldn't concern themselves with legends and never-ending obsessions about ancestry. Such ideas only lead to pointless debates, instead of understanding God as we trust in him.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:
The reason why I insist on this is so we may have love that comes from a pure heart, from a clear conscience and sincere trust in God.
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Some have deviated from these things, and have ended up talking nonsense.
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
They have ambitions to be teachers of the law, but they have no idea what they're talking about or what they're so boldly announcing!
8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;
Now we recognize that the law is good if people use it properly.
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
We also know that law isn't laid down for those who do what is good and right, but for those who are rebellious and ignore the law. It applies to people who have no use for God, who are sinful, who treat nothing as holy and are completely irreligious. It's for those who kill fathers and mothers, for murderers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
for those who are sexually immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, false witnesses—and anything else that's opposed to good teachings
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
as determined by the wonderful good news of our blessed God which he entrusted to me.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
I'm just so grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord for the strength he's given me, and that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to work for him.
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.
Even though I used to insult God, and persecuted and abused God's people, God showed me mercy because of my ignorance and unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Our Lord in his grace filled me to overflowing with trust and love that comes from Christ Jesus.
15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
You can trust this saying that everyone should accept: “Christ Jesus came to this world to save sinners,” and I'm the worst of them.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (aiōnios g166)
For this reason I was shown mercy—since I'm the worst sinner, Jesus Christ could demonstrate his infinite patience as an example to those who choose to trust in him and gain eternal life. (aiōnios g166)
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
Honor and glory forever and ever to the eternal King, the immortal, invisible, and only God! Amen. (aiōn g165)
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
These are the instructions I want to give to you, Timothy, my son, following the prophecies that brought you this far, so you can fight the good fight!
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Keep on trusting God and make sure you have a clear conscience. Some have refused to do this and have shipwrecked their trust in God.
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Hymenaeus and Alexander are such people, and I have “handed them over to Satan” to teach them not to misrepresent God.

< 1 Timothy 1 >