Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 2

Instructions on Prayer

¹ First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all those who are in authority,^(a) so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness^(b) and dignity.^{(c) 3} This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,^{(d) 4} who wants everyone^(e) to be saved^(f) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.^(g)

⁷ For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle^(l) (I am telling the truth;^[a] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles^(m) in faith and truth.

Instructions to Men and Women

⁸ Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.^{(n) 9} Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing,^(o) with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold,^(p) pearls, or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but with good works,^(q) as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God. ¹¹ A woman should learn in silence with full submission.^{(r) 12} I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent. ¹³ For Adam was created first, then Eve.^{(s) 14} And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.^{(t) 15} But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues^[b] in faith, love, and holiness,^(u) with good judgment.

Chapter 3

Qualifications of Church Leaders

¹ This saying is trustworthy:^[a](a) "If anyone aspires to be an overseer,^(b) he desires a noble work." ² An overseer,^(c) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,^(d) respectable, hospitable,^(e) an able teacher,^{[b] 3} not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy^(f)— ⁴ one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?) ⁶ He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.^{(g) 7} Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil's^(h) trap.

⁸ Deacons,⁽ⁱ⁾ likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith^(j) with a clear conscience.^{(k) 10} And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹ Wives,^(l) too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,^(m) faithful in everything. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

¹⁴ I write these things to you, hoping to come⁽ⁿ⁾ to you soon. ¹⁵ But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God's household,^(o) which is the church of the living God,^(p) the pillar and foundation of the truth.^{(q) 16} And most certainly, the mystery of godliness^(r) is great:

Chapter 4

Demonic Influence

¹ Now the Spirit^(a) explicitly says that in later times^(b) some will depart from the faith,^(c) paying attention to deceitful spirits^(d) and the teachings of demons,^{(e) 2} through the hypocrisy^(f) of liars whose consciences^(g) are seared. ³ They forbid marriage^(h) and demand abstinence⁽ⁱ⁾ from foods that God created^(j) to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good,^(k) and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,^{(l) 5} since it is sanctified by the word of God^(m) and by prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith⁽ⁿ⁾ and the good teaching that you have followed.^{(o) 7} But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths.^(p) Rather, train yourself in godliness,^{(q) 8} for

⁹ This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.^{(t) 10} In fact, we labor and strive^[a] for this, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(u) who is the Savior^(v) of everyone,^(w) especially of those who believe.

Instructions for Ministry

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech,^(x) in conduct,^(y) in love,^[b](z) in faith, in purity.^{(aa) 13} Until I come,^(ab) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,^(ac) with the laying on of hands^(ad) by the council of elders. ¹⁵ Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save^(ae) both yourself and your hearers.^(af)

Chapter 5

¹ Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.

The Support of Widows

³ Support^[a] widows^(a) who are genuinely widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. ⁵ The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God^(b) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; ⁶ however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^{(c) 7} Command this also, so they won't be blamed. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide^(d) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith^(e) and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow should be placed on the official support list^[b] unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for good works^(f)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(g) washed the saints' feet,^(h) helped the afflicted,⁽ⁱ⁾ and devoted herself to every good work.^{(j) 11} But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^{(k) 12} and will therefore receive condemnation^(l) because they have renounced their original pledge. ¹³ At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(m) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger women to marry,⁽ⁿ⁾ have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^{(o) 15} For some have already turned away^(p) to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any^[c] believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

Honoring the Elders

¹⁷ The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium,^[d] especially those who work hard^(q) at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says:

¹⁹ Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.^{(t) 20} Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. ²¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe^(u) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. ²² Don't be too quick to appoint^[f](v) anyone as an elder, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.^{(w) 23} Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. ²⁴ Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment,^(x) but the sins of others surface^[g] later. ²⁵ Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.