Read the Bible

A Call to Prayer

¹ First of all, then, I urge that ^(C1)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people,^2 (C1)for kings and all who are in ^(F1)authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and ^(F2)dignity.³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of ^(C1)God our Savior,^4 (C1)who wants all people to be ^(C2)saved and to ^(C3)come to the ^(F1)knowledge of the truth.⁵ For there is ^(C1)one God, and ^(C2)one mediator also between God and mankind, the ^(C3)Man Christ Jesus,⁶ who ^(C1)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ^(C2)testimony ^(F1)given at ^(F2)(C3)the proper time.^7 (C1)For this I was appointed as a ^(F1)preacher and ^(C2)an apostle (^(C3)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of ^(C4)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

⁸ Therefore ^(C1)I want the men ^(C2)in every place to pray, ^(C3)lifting up ^(C4)holy hands, without anger and dispute.⁹ Likewise, I want ^(C1)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, ^(F1)modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel,¹⁰ but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.^11 (C1)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.^12 (C1)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.^13 (C1)For it was Adam who was first ^(F1)created, and then Eve.¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived, but ^(C1)the woman was ^(F1)deceived and ^(F2)became a wrongdoer.¹⁵ But ^(F1)women will be ^(F2)preserved through ^(F3)childbirth—if they continue in ^(C1)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.