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Sound Teaching and Christian Living

¹ But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching.^{(C1) 2} Older men^(C1) are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love,^(C2) and endurance. ³ In the same way, older women^(C1) are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission^(C1) to their husbands, so that God’s word^(C2) will not be slandered.

⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men^(C1) to be self-controlled ⁷ in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity^(F1) in your teaching. ⁸ Your message is to be sound beyond reproach,^(C1) so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

⁹ Slaves are to submit to their masters^(C1) in everything, and to be well-pleasing,^(C2) not talking back ¹⁰ or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior^(C1) in everything.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation^(F1) for all people,^{(C1) 12} instructing us to deny godlessness^(C1) and worldly lusts^(C2) and to live in a sensible, righteous,^(C3) and godly^(C4) way in the present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope,^(C1) the appearing of the glory^(C2) of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us^(C1) to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession,^(C2) eager to do good works.

¹⁵ Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard^(F1) you.